Download fulltext HTML
Ezenwa, E. V., & Adam, V. Y. (2018). Attitude of a Discrete Group of Nigerian Male Doctors Towards Prostate Cancer Screening. Sudan Journal of Medical Sciences (SJMS), 13(2), 114-124. https://doi.org/10.18502/sjms.v13i2.2642

https://doi.org/10.18502/sjms.v13i2.2642

statistics

  • 821 Abstract Views
  • 334 PDF Views
  • 0 HTML Views

authors

  • E. V. Ezenwa
    No author data available.
  • V. Y. Adam
    No author data available.

Published Date

  • Jun 28, 2018

Attitude of a Discrete Group of Nigerian Male Doctors Towards Prostate Cancer Screening

Sudan Journal of Medical Sciences (SJMS) / Sudan JMS: Volume 13 (2018), Issue No. 2 / Pages 114-124

Abstract

Introduction: Prostate cancer is the commonest cancer among Nigerian males [1]. Screening for prostate cancer is a topical issue among doctors as some studies have not conclusively shown higher survival rate among patients who had their pathology detected early. Taking into consideration the uncertainty surrounding prostate cancer screening, coupled with the fact that doctors are most of the time overwhelmed with solving the problems of their patients while neglecting their personal health. This study assesses the attitude of a discrete group of Nigerian doctors towards prostate cancer screening.


Objective: To assess the attitude towards prostate cancer screening of male medical doctors in public hospitals in Benin City, Nigeria. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study carried out over a period of six months at the
University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) and the Central Hospital Benin City. It involved all male doctors, 40 years and above. Data were collected using a well-structured self-administered questionnaire, collated and subjected to statistical analysis.


 


Result: The study involved 214 male doctors. One hundred and fifty two of them practice in UBTH, while 62 of them practice in Central Hospital. The mean (standard deviation) age of the respondents was 48.5 (6.3) years. Ninety five percent (205) of the respondents had positive attitude towards prostate cancer screening. The main factors indicated by the respondents that affect individual decision to undergo prostate cancer screening were: the cost of screening [151 (70.6%)], lack of awareness [138 (64.5%)], fear of being stigmatized [97 (45.3%)] and fear of having a positive test [91 (42.5%)]. The least indicated was cultural barriers [42 (19.6%)].


Conclusion: The attitude of the respondents for prostate cancer screening is
good despite the challenges with recommendation against community screening by international health management system. The main factors identified by respondents as militating against screening should be given proper attention in order to reduce the scourge of this highly prevalent pathology among Nigerians.

References
[1] Ogunbiyi, J. O. (2000). Epidemiology of cancer in Ibadan: Tumors in adults. Archives of Ibadan Medicine, vol. 1, no. 2, pp. 9-12.

[2] Ferlay, J., Soerjomataram, I., Ervik, M., et al. (2013). GLOBOCAN 2012: Cancer Incidence and Mortality Worldwide, vol. 1, pp. 1-2. International Agency for Research on Cancer.

[3] Ikuerowo, S. O. (2013). Prevalence and characteristics of prostate cancer among participants of a community-based screening in Nigeria using serum prostate specific antigen and digital rectal examination. The Pan African Medical Journal, vol. 15, p. 129.

[4] McNaughton, D., Aiken, W., and McGrowder, D. (2011). Factors affecting prostate cancer screening behaviour in a discrete population of doctors at the University Hospital of the West Indies, Jamaica. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention, vol. 12, pp. 1201-1205.

[5] Khateeb, M., Khayat, S., Radhwi, O., et al. (2012). Attitude of 100 Saudi female doctors towards their health. Clinical Medicine Insights: Women’s Health, vol. 5, pp. 39-43.

[6] Nagler, H. M., Gerber, E. W., Homel, P., et al. (2005). Digital rectal examination is barrier to population-based prostate cancer screening. Urology, vol. 65, no. 6, pp 1137-1140.

[7] Ojewola, W., Tijani, K. H., Jeje, E. A., et al. (2013). An evaluation of usefulness of prostate specific antigen and digital rectal examination in the diagnosis of prostate cancer in an unscreened population: Experience in a Nigerian Teaching Hospital. West African Journal of Medicine, vol. 19, no. 1, pp. 26-31.

[8] Woods, V. D., Montgomery, S. B., and Herring, R. P. (2006). Social ecological predictors of prostate-specific antigen blood test and digital rectal examination in black American men. Journal of the National Medical Association, vol. 98, pp. 492- 504.

[9] Arafa, A. M., Rabah, D. M., and El-Nimr, N. A. (2012). Physicians’ behaviour and attitudes towards prostate cancer screening in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences, vol. 3, no. 1, pp. 043-048.