Abstract:
Background: Prostate cancer is a common cancer among men worldwide. It is estimated to be
the second of all under diagnosed cancer and it is ranged the sixth among the cause of cancer
mortality worldwide. According to the Rwanda demographic survey done in 2017, prostate
cancer mortality was 1.5 per 100.000 populations. The sensitization related to prostate cancer
awareness and its screening needs to be encouraged among adult men to avoid late consultation
and reduce prostate cancer morbidity and mortality.
Aim: To assess awareness and screening practices of prostate cancer among adult males 40 years
old and above, attending outpatient by referral at Kigali university teaching hospital (CHUK).
Methodology: A quantitative, descriptive cross –sectional design study. A systematic random
sampling technique was used to select 257 adult males, who participated in the study.
Participants were chosen from among the men who consulted urology and general surgery
services at University Teaching hospital of Kigali (CHUK), during 8 weeks of the study period.
Results: Among 257 participants in the study, the great proportion of respondents ranged
between 51 to 60, (43%). 80% of the respondents were aware of prostate cancer existence. (77%)
reported the health provider as being the major source of the information. Knowledge on various
domains was low, (64%) of the respondents were not aware of the risk factors of prostate cancer.
(32%) did not know the prevention measures of prostate cancer. (64%) of the respondents were
aware of prostate cancer screening using PSA exam, (49%) of the respondents had undergone
screening by performing PSA exam. Overall prostate cancer awareness, and prostate cancer
screening practice was (75%) and (49.5%) respectively. Having a university level education was
significantly associated with P Ca awareness and screening practices (p<0.004), and working in
public institutions had a strong correlation to Prostate cancer awareness and screening practice
(p<0.000).
Conclusion: The level of awareness of prostate cancer was high while knowledge on some
areas was low. Screening practices were found to be poor, almost half of participants did not
perform PSA test. There is a need to improve health education to the community regarding
prostate cancer to enhance knowledge and increase the rate of screening.
