AWARENESS OF PROSTRATE DISORDER AND ACCESS TO SCREENING AMONG MALE ADULTS IN FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTER UMUAHIA, ABIA STATE

Abstract This study assessed the awareness of prostate disorder and access to screening among male adults attending Federal Medical Center Umuahia. The study was motivated by the increasing prevalence of prostate cancer among men and the low level of participation in screening and counseling services in Nigeria. A descriptive cross-sectional research design was adopted for the study. The target population comprised adult males aged 30–60 years receiving treatment at the hospital, while a sample size of 170 respondents was determined using the Taro Yamane formula. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics and SPSS version 20.0. Findings revealed that 54% of the respondents had heard about prostate cancer, while only 22% were aware of prostate cancer screening services. Furthermore, only 23% of the respondents had ever undergone prostate cancer screening. Knowledge regarding risk factors, symptoms, and preventive measures was generally poor among the respondents. Major factors influencing the utilization of screening services included lack of awareness, poor accessibility to screening centers, cultural and religious beliefs, fear of screening outcomes, and inadequate information from healthcare providers. The study also revealed that screening uptake increased with advancing age and educational level. The study concluded that awareness and uptake of prostate cancer screening among male adults in Federal Medical Center Umuahia are low despite the willingness of many respondents to learn more about the disease and participate in screening. The study recommended increased public health education, improved accessibility to screening services, and the implementation of policies that promote routine prostate cancer screening among men, especially those aged 40 years and above.