Abstract: Prostate cancer, a leading cause of cancer mortality among men, is significantly prevalent in Nigeria. Despite its high incidence, awareness and knowledge about prostate cancer remain low, contributing to delayed diagnoses and treatment. This study investigates the impact of prostate cancer media awareness on the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) among male staff at Bowen University. The research employs a quantitative approach, utilizing a structured questionnaire administered to 200 randomly selected male staff members. Data analysis was conducted using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), focusing on levels of campaign exposure, knowledge, influence on health practices, and perceptions of prostate cancer. The results indicate that while a majority of respondents are aware of prostate cancer through various media, significant gaps in detailed knowledge about the disease, its symptoms, and screening methods persist. Notably, 96% of participants had never participated in prostate cancer screening, and 90.9% were unaware of the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test and digital rectal examination (DRE). Furthermore, while 68% recognized the potential for early cure if detected early, 71.4% felt that media campaigns had not sufficiently highlighted the symptoms of prostate cancer. The study concludes that although media campaigns have raised general awareness, there is a critical need for more targeted and detailed educational efforts to enhance understanding and promote proactive health behaviors among the male staff at Bowen University. These findings underscore the importance of robust, continuous health education campaigns to improve early detection and treatment outcomes for prostate cancer. This research provides valuable insights for health policymakers, educators, and campaign organizers aiming to reduce prostate cancer morbidity and mortality through effective awareness and education strategies.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY
The prostate gland is a walnut-shaped gland found in the male reproductive system, it produces a fluid that transforms into semen which is its sole function. A man’s ability to reproduce depends on his prostate fluid. Inflammation (swelling) of the prostate gland is referred to as prostatitis. Even while it may be extremely painful and unpleasant, it is treatable. Prostatitis is an often painful disorder that causes inflammation of the prostate and occasionally the regions around the prostate (NHS, 2023).
High-grade prostate cancer is linked to chronic inflammation in benign prostate tissue. It has been difficult to determine the effect of prostatic inflammation on the development of advanced metastatic disease in prostate cancer. First, because prostatitis is frequently asymptomatic, it is challenging to estimate its incidence. Prostatitis can be identified in up to 5–10% of men over 40, however many more men may have the condition without showing any symptoms. Prostate biopsies frequently reveal asymptomatic prostatitis, although it is not recognized until the tumor develops (Roberts R et al,1998). Second, due to the increased use of biopsies, men with prostatitis symptoms are more likely to be given a prostate cancer diagnosis (Krieger J et al. 2003).
There is no clear genetic pattern for prostatitis development. Pathogens, physical and chemical trauma, nutrition, or a mix of these factors may all be to blame for the clinical state. Urine reflux, or the irregular flow of urine from the bladder back via the ureters, may lead to chronic inflammation of the prostate due to chemical stimulation (Kirby R et al, 1982). It has been demonstrated that non-sexually transmitted organisms including E. Coli and Propionibacterium acnes can induce both acute and chronic prostatitis (Shinohara D et al, 2013). Many STIs, such as Chlamydia trachomatis (Poletti F, 1985), and Neisseria gonorrhoea (Pelouze P, 1935), which cause persistent infection and inflammation, are associated with an elevated risk of prostate cancer. Men who have a history of inflammatory sexual behavior are more likely to get prostate cancer.
With 1,276,106 new cases and 358,989 fatalities (3.8% of all deaths from cancer in men), prostate cancer was the second most common malignancy in males worldwide after lung cancer in 2018 (Bray F et al. 2018; Ferlay J et al. 2019). Prostate cancer mortality and incidence are both correlated with ageing globally, with an average age of 66 at diagnosis. The incidence rates are higher for African-American males than for White men with 158.3 new cases diagnosed per 100,000 men and their mortality is around twice as high (Panigrahi et al. 2019). The causes of this disparities have been attributed to societal, environmental and genetic variations(Ferlay et al. 2019). The incidence of prostate cancer varies greatly among countries (Ferlay et al. 2019). For instance, Oceania had the highest age- standardized rate (ASR) with 79.1 per 100,000 persons, followed by North America (73.7) and then Europe (62.1). In contrast, the incidence rates in Asia and Africa are lower than those in the developed nations (26.6 and 11.5 respectively), according to a research carried out by Ferlay et al (2019).With rising incidence of morbidity and mortality rate among men of Black African decent, prostate cancer has overtaken all other cancers in males to become the most common. It is estimated that one-third of the cases of Prostate cancer can be prevented and another third can be cured if detected early through screening. Studies done in Nigeria have shown that knowledge of Prostate cancer is generally low (Rogers et al. 2019)
Most men are unaware that they have prostate cancer because it progresses slowly. Blood in urine, weak or decreased urine flow, increased urination frequency especially at night, the sensation that the bladder has not been emptied, urinating with difficulty, incontinence and urgency are the most common symptoms of prostate cancer (Mbah-Omeje et al. 2022). Although the exact causes of prostate cancer is unknown, age, family history, lifestyle (such as a high testosterone diet), environment, genome changes such as (changes in BRCA type 1 and 2 and other genes) and race (being black, for example) are thought to be significant risk factors (Jeihonni et al, 2015). The recommended screening test are the measurements of serum prostate specific antigen (PSA), Digital rectum examination and ultrasonography. With early detection, prompt action and improved medical care, the story of prostate cancer can be rewritten.
Many studies have been conducted, and they have revealed an association between a lack of information about prostate cancer and the rise in the mortality rate of men from the disease. Media messages have the power to alter behavior, increase interest, and improve knowledge. There is no doubt that research has been done on prostate cancer in Nigeria, but the literature that is currently available indicates that despite awareness programs, the country’s population still has a very limited understanding of the disease.
1.1 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
Despite the high prevalence of prostate cancer in Nigeria, research has shown that knowledge about the disease is generally poor (Awosan et al. 2018). This lack of knowledge may be due, in part, to the fact that there has been relatively little attention given to prostate cancer compared to other types of cancer, such as breast and cervical cancer. As a result, it is important to increase awareness about prostate cancer and its risks in order to improve early detection and treatment, and ultimately reduce the burden of the disease and high rates of incidence and mortality in Nigeria. Despite efforts to raise awareness and educate the public through social media and campaigns about the importance of early detection and treatment, many people in Nigeria are still not adequately informed about prostate cancer and its risks.
This lack of knowledge can lead to delayed diagnosis and treatment, which can have serious consequences for the health and well-being of individuals affected by the disease. To address this problem, a number of prostate cancer campaigns have been conducted in Nigeria. While these campaigns may have had some impact on the level of knowledge and awareness about prostate cancer, there is currently little empirical evidence to support the effectiveness of these campaigns. The goal of this project is to quantify the effect of media campaigns on the knowledge and awareness of prostatitis and prostate cancer among the males in Bowen University.
1.2 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The major objectives of this study are:
- To ascertain the level of exposure to Prostate cancer campaigns among Bowen University Male Staff.
- To determine the level of knowledge of Prostate cancer media campaigns among Bowen University Male Staff.
- To determine the level of influence of Prostate cancer media campaigns on health practices of Bowen University Male Staff.
- To investigate the perception of prostate cancer among Bowen University Male Staff.
1.3 RESEARCH QUESTIONS
The research questions of this study are:
- What is the level of exposure to Prostate cancer campaigns among Bowen University Male Staff?
- What is the level of knowledge of prostate cancer media campaigns among Bowen University Male Staff?
- What is the level of influence of Prostate cancer media campaigns on health practices of Bowen University Male Staff?
- What is the perception of prostate cancer among Bowen University Male Staff?
1.4 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
This research work will be helpful to NGOs in knowing how to increase the prostate cancer awareness in universities to both lecturers and students. This research will also help campaign organizers to know if truly both men in Nigeria specifically Bowen University are aware of the campaigns conducted. This research work will help to enlighten medical practitioners on what the male staff know about the serum prostate specific antigen (PSA), the digital rectum examination and also conclude if they need more intensive educational programs to promote early screening behaviours. This research will also serve as a guide and body of knowledge to other scholars who intend to research further on this topic or on issues related to this subject.
1.5 JUSTIFICATION OF THE STUDY
It is worthy of note that no art scholar has ever carried out a detailed analytical study on the knowledge, attitude and practice analysis of prostrate cancer in Bowen University. In order to ascertain how Bowen University male staff views prostate cancer, this project will also look into how much of the community has been exposed. It will also add to the body of knowledge on Prostate cancer.
1.6 SCOPE OF THE STUDY
The scope of the study covers the knowledge, attitude and practice analysis of prostrate cancer based on media campaign in Bowen University. Majority of the respondents will generally be young and old people between the ages of 30-66 years old. Majority of the respondents will be males in Bowen University.
1.7 OPERATIONAL DEFINITION OF TERMS
Attitude: This implies the way the male staff in Bowen University feels about being aware of the risk factors and symptoms of prostate cancer.
Campaign: They are media programme that are aimed at fighting against prostate cancer by informing males against the dangers of prostate cancer.
Knowledge: The level of information of men about prostatitis and prostate cancer and the campaigns conducted on them.
Men staff: Male gender working and living in Bowen University.
Prostate Cancer: It is a cancerous tumor that affects the prostate gland in men.
WHAT TO EXPECT: (Format: MS WORD, Chapter 1-5, Abstract, Table of Contents, Questionnaire and References)
How To Get Complete Project Material
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