AN ASSESSMENT OF AWARENESS LEVELS AND HEALTHCARE CHALLENGES AMONG PROSTATE CANCER PATIENTS IN SELECTED TERTIARY HOSPITALS IN IMO STATE
Main Article Content
Abstract
Among older men, prostate cancer is a main contributor to morbidity and death. This study evaluated patients with prostate cancer in particular tertiary hospitals in Imo State, Nigeria, regarding awareness and healthcare difficulties. With a sample size of 261, sociodemographic and socioeconomic data were gathered using a hospital-based, cross-sectional, and descriptive survey involving structured questionnaires. Analysis proceeded using descriptive statistics, with the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 25.0 employed. Findings from the results show that most participants, 104(39.8%), were between the ages of 60 and 69; 244(93.5%) were married; 141(54.0%) had tertiary education, indicating a high level of education. Only 24(9.2%) had high awareness, while 240(92.0%) had heard of prostate cancer, and 216(82.8%) identified the PSA test. It was also seen that the distance to facilities and the financial burden of 200 (76.6%) were the main obstacles to healthcare. While difficulties in obtaining care were associated with occupation, income, and housing, awareness was much associated with age, marital status, and education (P < 0.05). Though the general awareness level was moderate at 66%, in-depth knowledge was limited. Cost and geographic accessibility are two major obstacles to care that still prevent efficient management. These results highlight the need for focused awareness campaigns, care subsidies, and better health facilities, particularly for Imo State's elderly and low-income communities.
Article Details
How to Cite
Okoro, I. L., Dozie, U. W., Uzoma, F. C., Izuchukwu, C. B., Iwuoha, G., & Orji, S. M. (2025). AN ASSESSMENT OF AWARENESS LEVELS AND HEALTHCARE CHALLENGES AMONG PROSTATE CANCER PATIENTS IN SELECTED TERTIARY HOSPITALS IN IMO STATE. The Bioscientist Journal, 13(1), 47-62. https://doi.org/10.54117/the_bioscientist.v13i1.184
Section
Articles
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
References
Adibe, M. O., Aluh, D. O., Isah, A., & Anosike, C. (2017). Knowledge, Attitudes, and Perceptions of Prostate Cancer among Male Staff of the University of Nigeria. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention: APJCP,18(7),1961–1966. https://doi.org/10.22034/APJCP.2017.18.7.1961
Anaba, E., Necku, J., & Abile, M. (2022). Health-seeking Behaviours and Effect of Prostate Cancer on Male Soldiers in Ghana: A Qualitative Study. https://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.104457.
Ariyo, D., Abiodun, O., Daramola, O., Ikeh, I., & Babalola, N. (2024). Assessment of Knowledge and Perception on Prevention of Prostate Cancer Among Male Staff in Achievers University, Owo, Ondo State. Western Nigeria Journal of Medical Sciences, 7(1), 42–52. https://doi.org/10.4314/wnjms.v7i1.6
Dozie, U., Michael, A., Innocent, D., Dozie, K., Chukwuocha, U., Osuoji, N., Uzowuihe, P., & Dozie,I. (2022). Exploring the Knowledge, Perception, and Uptake of Prostate Cancer Screening among Men Aged 40 Years and above in Owerri West, Imo State, South Eastern Nigeria. 2022–2077.
Edidiong Ekong, & Christian Chiemeka Okonkwo. (2022). THE LEVEL OF AWARENESS AND RISK FACTORS OF PROSTATE CANCER AMONG MARITIME WORKERS IN PORT HARCOURT PORT, RIVERS STATE, NIGERIA. Global Scientific Journal. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/362230706_THE_LEVEL_OF_AWARENESS_AND_RIS K_FACTORS_OF_PROSTATE_CANCER_AMONG_MARITIME_WORKERS_IN_PORT_HARC OURT_PORT_RIVERS_STATE_NIGERIA
Gift, S., Nancy, K., & Victor, M. (2020). Assessment of knowledge, practice, and attitude towards prostate cancer screening among male patients aged 40 years and above at Kitwe Teaching Hospital, Zambia. African Journal of Urology, 26(1), 70. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12301-020-00067-0
Latunji, O. O., & Akinyemi, O. O. (2018). FACTORS INFLUENCING HEALTH-SEEKING BEHAVIOUR AMONG CIVIL SERVANTS IN IBADAN, NIGERIA. Annals of Ibadan Postgraduate Medicine, 16(1), 52–60.
Leslie, S. W., Soon-Sutton, T. L., & Khan, M. A. B. (2024). Male infertility. In StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK562258/
Lonia, Kashihakumwa, Daniel O. Ashipala, & Yahaya Jafaru. (2025). Prostate cancer screening knowledge and attitude among men over 50 at a referral Hospital in Oshana region, Namibia | Kashihakumwa | Journal of Public Health in Africa. Journal of Public Health in Africa. https://publichealthinafrica.org/index.php/jphia/article/view/652/html
Maladze, N., Maphula, A., Maluleke, M., & Makhado, L. (2023). Knowledge and Attitudes towards Prostate Cancer and Screening among Males in Limpopo Province, South Africa. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(6), 5220. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20065220
Ezeama, M. C., & Enwereji, E. E. (2023). Knowledge and Attitude of Men towards Prostate Cancer Screening. A Case Study of Men Attending Services in Imo State University Teaching Hospital, Orlu. Journal of Medical - Clinical Research & Reviews, 7(5). https://doi.org/10.33425/2639-944X.1327
Morlando, M., Pelullo, C. P., & Di Giuseppe, G. (2017). Prostate cancer screening: Knowledge, attitudes, and practices in a sample of men in Italy. A survey. PloS One, 12(10), e0186332. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0186332
Muralidhar, V., Rose, B. S., Chen, Y.-W., Nezolosky, M. D., & Nguyen, P. L. (2016). Association Between Travel Distance and Choice of Treatment for Prostate Cancer: Does Geography Reduce Patient Choice? International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics, 96(2), 313–317. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrobp.2016.05.022
Ogbetere, Y., Onegbedan, S., & Ogbetere, F. (2024). Prostate cancer screening practices and barriers to seeking information and medical care related to prostate cancer among males in rural communities in southern Nigeria. African Urology, 4(3), 139–144. https://doi.org/10.36303/AUJ.0188
Ojewola, R. W., Oridota, E. S., Balogun, O. S., Ogundare, E. O., Alabi, T. O., Banjo, O. O., Laoye, A., Adetunmbi, B., Adebayo, B. O., & Oluyombo, R. (2017). Knowledge, attitudes, and screening practices regarding prostatic diseases among men older than 40 years: A population-based study in Southwest Nigeria. The Pan African Medical Journal, 27, 151. https://doi.org/10.11604/pamj.2017.27.151.10605
Okeke, C. J., Obi, A. O., Ojewola, R. W., Jeje, E. A., Okorie, C. O., Afogu, E. N., Ogbobe, U. U., Ulebe, A. O., Odo, C., & Ugwuidu, E. (2022). Prostate Cancer and Challenges in Management in a Semi-urban Centre. Journal of West African College of Surgeons, 12(3), 44–48. https://doi.org/10.4103/JWAS.JWAS_140_22
Owoo, B., Ninnoni, J. P., Ampofo, E. A., & Seidu, A.-A. (2022). Challenges encountered by family caregivers of prostate cancer patients in Cape Coast, Ghana: A descriptive phenomenological study. BMC Palliative Care, 21(1), 108. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12904-022-00993-6 .
Rawla, P. (2019). Epidemiology of Prostate Cancer. World Journal of Oncology, 10(2), 63–89. https://doi.org/10.14740/wjon1191
Pita, M.R.T. (2023). Prostate Cancer. In: Shackelford, T.K. (eds) Encyclopedia of Sexual Psychology and Behavior. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-08956-5_1938-1.
Nwagwu, S. A. J., Ibebuike, J. E., & Nwokike, G. I. (2020). Knowledge and attitude of men (50 years and above) about prostate cancer in Umugolo, Ehime Mbano L.G.A, Imo State. Nurse Care Open Access Journal, 7(2), 39–43. https://doi.org/10.15406/ncoaj.2020.07.00215
Singh, O., & Bolla, S. R. (2023). Anatomy, abdomen and pelvis, prostate. In StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK540987/.
Tomic, K., Ventimiglia, E., Robinson, D., Häggström, C., Lambe, M., & Stattin, P. (2018). Socioeconomic status and diagnosis, treatment, and mortality in men with prostate cancer. Nationwide population-based study. International Journal of Cancer, 142(12), 2478–2484. https://doi.org/10.1002/ijc.31272.
Wang, L., Lu, B., He, M., Wang, Y., Wang, Z., & Du, L. (2022). Prostate cancer incidence and mortality: Global status and temporal trends in 89 countries from 2000 to 2019. Frontiers in Public Health, 10, 811044. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2022.81104
Anaba, E., Necku, J., & Abile, M. (2022). Health-seeking Behaviours and Effect of Prostate Cancer on Male Soldiers in Ghana: A Qualitative Study. https://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.104457.
Ariyo, D., Abiodun, O., Daramola, O., Ikeh, I., & Babalola, N. (2024). Assessment of Knowledge and Perception on Prevention of Prostate Cancer Among Male Staff in Achievers University, Owo, Ondo State. Western Nigeria Journal of Medical Sciences, 7(1), 42–52. https://doi.org/10.4314/wnjms.v7i1.6
Dozie, U., Michael, A., Innocent, D., Dozie, K., Chukwuocha, U., Osuoji, N., Uzowuihe, P., & Dozie,I. (2022). Exploring the Knowledge, Perception, and Uptake of Prostate Cancer Screening among Men Aged 40 Years and above in Owerri West, Imo State, South Eastern Nigeria. 2022–2077.
Edidiong Ekong, & Christian Chiemeka Okonkwo. (2022). THE LEVEL OF AWARENESS AND RISK FACTORS OF PROSTATE CANCER AMONG MARITIME WORKERS IN PORT HARCOURT PORT, RIVERS STATE, NIGERIA. Global Scientific Journal. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/362230706_THE_LEVEL_OF_AWARENESS_AND_RIS K_FACTORS_OF_PROSTATE_CANCER_AMONG_MARITIME_WORKERS_IN_PORT_HARC OURT_PORT_RIVERS_STATE_NIGERIA
Gift, S., Nancy, K., & Victor, M. (2020). Assessment of knowledge, practice, and attitude towards prostate cancer screening among male patients aged 40 years and above at Kitwe Teaching Hospital, Zambia. African Journal of Urology, 26(1), 70. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12301-020-00067-0
Latunji, O. O., & Akinyemi, O. O. (2018). FACTORS INFLUENCING HEALTH-SEEKING BEHAVIOUR AMONG CIVIL SERVANTS IN IBADAN, NIGERIA. Annals of Ibadan Postgraduate Medicine, 16(1), 52–60.
Leslie, S. W., Soon-Sutton, T. L., & Khan, M. A. B. (2024). Male infertility. In StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK562258/
Lonia, Kashihakumwa, Daniel O. Ashipala, & Yahaya Jafaru. (2025). Prostate cancer screening knowledge and attitude among men over 50 at a referral Hospital in Oshana region, Namibia | Kashihakumwa | Journal of Public Health in Africa. Journal of Public Health in Africa. https://publichealthinafrica.org/index.php/jphia/article/view/652/html
Maladze, N., Maphula, A., Maluleke, M., & Makhado, L. (2023). Knowledge and Attitudes towards Prostate Cancer and Screening among Males in Limpopo Province, South Africa. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(6), 5220. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20065220
Ezeama, M. C., & Enwereji, E. E. (2023). Knowledge and Attitude of Men towards Prostate Cancer Screening. A Case Study of Men Attending Services in Imo State University Teaching Hospital, Orlu. Journal of Medical - Clinical Research & Reviews, 7(5). https://doi.org/10.33425/2639-944X.1327
Morlando, M., Pelullo, C. P., & Di Giuseppe, G. (2017). Prostate cancer screening: Knowledge, attitudes, and practices in a sample of men in Italy. A survey. PloS One, 12(10), e0186332. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0186332
Muralidhar, V., Rose, B. S., Chen, Y.-W., Nezolosky, M. D., & Nguyen, P. L. (2016). Association Between Travel Distance and Choice of Treatment for Prostate Cancer: Does Geography Reduce Patient Choice? International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics, 96(2), 313–317. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrobp.2016.05.022
Ogbetere, Y., Onegbedan, S., & Ogbetere, F. (2024). Prostate cancer screening practices and barriers to seeking information and medical care related to prostate cancer among males in rural communities in southern Nigeria. African Urology, 4(3), 139–144. https://doi.org/10.36303/AUJ.0188
Ojewola, R. W., Oridota, E. S., Balogun, O. S., Ogundare, E. O., Alabi, T. O., Banjo, O. O., Laoye, A., Adetunmbi, B., Adebayo, B. O., & Oluyombo, R. (2017). Knowledge, attitudes, and screening practices regarding prostatic diseases among men older than 40 years: A population-based study in Southwest Nigeria. The Pan African Medical Journal, 27, 151. https://doi.org/10.11604/pamj.2017.27.151.10605
Okeke, C. J., Obi, A. O., Ojewola, R. W., Jeje, E. A., Okorie, C. O., Afogu, E. N., Ogbobe, U. U., Ulebe, A. O., Odo, C., & Ugwuidu, E. (2022). Prostate Cancer and Challenges in Management in a Semi-urban Centre. Journal of West African College of Surgeons, 12(3), 44–48. https://doi.org/10.4103/JWAS.JWAS_140_22
Owoo, B., Ninnoni, J. P., Ampofo, E. A., & Seidu, A.-A. (2022). Challenges encountered by family caregivers of prostate cancer patients in Cape Coast, Ghana: A descriptive phenomenological study. BMC Palliative Care, 21(1), 108. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12904-022-00993-6 .
Rawla, P. (2019). Epidemiology of Prostate Cancer. World Journal of Oncology, 10(2), 63–89. https://doi.org/10.14740/wjon1191
Pita, M.R.T. (2023). Prostate Cancer. In: Shackelford, T.K. (eds) Encyclopedia of Sexual Psychology and Behavior. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-08956-5_1938-1.
Nwagwu, S. A. J., Ibebuike, J. E., & Nwokike, G. I. (2020). Knowledge and attitude of men (50 years and above) about prostate cancer in Umugolo, Ehime Mbano L.G.A, Imo State. Nurse Care Open Access Journal, 7(2), 39–43. https://doi.org/10.15406/ncoaj.2020.07.00215
Singh, O., & Bolla, S. R. (2023). Anatomy, abdomen and pelvis, prostate. In StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK540987/.
Tomic, K., Ventimiglia, E., Robinson, D., Häggström, C., Lambe, M., & Stattin, P. (2018). Socioeconomic status and diagnosis, treatment, and mortality in men with prostate cancer. Nationwide population-based study. International Journal of Cancer, 142(12), 2478–2484. https://doi.org/10.1002/ijc.31272.
Wang, L., Lu, B., He, M., Wang, Y., Wang, Z., & Du, L. (2022). Prostate cancer incidence and mortality: Global status and temporal trends in 89 countries from 2000 to 2019. Frontiers in Public Health, 10, 811044. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2022.81104