Research Article
Factors Influencing Prostate Cancer Screening Among Men from Eastern Kenya
Joshua Mwangi*
,
Okello Agina,
Isaac Mwanzo
Issue:
Volume 11, Issue 2, April 2025
Pages:
43-52
Received:
1 February 2025
Accepted:
17 February 2025
Published:
18 March 2025
Abstract: Prostate cancer is the most prevalent urological cancer and causes a significant global health burden, especially in developed countries. It is the most frequently diagnosed cancer among men in more than half of the countries in the world. Early diagnosis minimizes complications and mortalities associated with it. In Kenya it is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among men and usually characterized with low rates of screening and late diagnosis. Several factors have been found to influence prostate cancer screening. This study sought to establish factors influencing prostate cancer screening in the rural settings of Tharaka Nithi County in Eastern Kenya. The study adopted cross-sectional design in which researcher-administered questionnaires were used to collect data. Multi-stage sampling was used to recruit 379 men who were 40 years old and above who participated in the study. Data analysis was done using the statistical package of Social Science version 22. Frequencies and percentages were used for data presentation. Chi square (χ2) and Fisher’s exact test were used test relationship between dependent and independent variables. P-value of <0.05 were used to declare factors as significantly associated with the outcome variable. Results showed that the awareness level of prostate cancer was high (85.2%) and screening levels for prostate cancer were low (4.5%). Factors found to be significantly associated with PCa testing were education level (Fisher's exact P< 0.001), awareness of PCa screening (Fisher's exact P=0.028), awareness of specific prostate cancer tests ( Fisher's exact p < 0.001), family history of prostate cancer (χ2 = 36.14, P< 0.001), cost of prostate cancer test (Fisher's exact p=0.001), insufficient information on PCa (χ2 = 13.55, p=0.001) and cultural factors (χ2 = 5.63, p=0.023). Conclusions: Although prostate cancer awareness level was high, prostate cancer screening rates were low among men from Tharaka Nithi County. Several factors influencing screening were identified, some of which were hindrances. There is therefore need for the county government to come up with appropriate strategies to address these hindrances and scale up screening services at the community level to facilitate early diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer.
Abstract: Prostate cancer is the most prevalent urological cancer and causes a significant global health burden, especially in developed countries. It is the most frequently diagnosed cancer among men in more than half of the countries in the world. Early diagnosis minimizes complications and mortalities associated with it. In Kenya it is the most commonly d...
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Research Article
Dynamics in Malaria Transmission in the Cross-Border Areas of Mozambique, South Africa and Eswatini (Mosaswa), from March 2017 to March 2019
Issue:
Volume 11, Issue 2, April 2025
Pages:
53-61
Received:
10 February 2025
Accepted:
26 February 2025
Published:
21 March 2025
Abstract: Introduction: malaria is considered a public health threat for the humankind worldwide, estimations indicate that more than 1/3 of the population is in equal risk of acquiring it. Shared borders between countries with different malaria prevalence and preventive strategies delays elimination goals. Aim: to analyze malaria transmission dynamics in the cross border areas of Mozambique, South Africa and ESwatini from March 2017 to March 2019. Methodology: a secondary malaria database was used. Ratio comparison tests and logistic regression model estimation were done. The sample consisted of 250563 migrants and residents in MOSASWA cross-border areas tested for malaria, between March 2017 to March 2019. Data were analyzed using SPSS 22.0. Results: 250563 people were tested, out of which, 93035 (37.13%) were migrant populations and 157528 (62.87%) were residents of the surrounding areas. Regarding gender and occupation, 50.1% were male and 76% had informal occupation. The positivity rate was 2.1% (5253), out of which, 33.3% (1751) were mobile and migrant populations, 45.9% of the total cases were asymptomatic carriers. 39.18% (686) and 28.44% (498) of the positive migrants were using the Macuacua and Ressano Garcia borders on their way to South Africa respectively. 66.7% of the positives cases were surrounding populations, out of which 20.5% and 20.6% crossed the borders three to four times a week. The predictive power of having malaria increased 5.090 and 3.540 times more if the migrant had been tested in Mozambique and if he/she was a resident in the neighbouring borders, crossing into the borders of the same country respectively. Conclusions: A large number of the moving cases were diagnosed in Mozambique on their way to South Africa through Macuacua border.
Abstract: Introduction: malaria is considered a public health threat for the humankind worldwide, estimations indicate that more than 1/3 of the population is in equal risk of acquiring it. Shared borders between countries with different malaria prevalence and preventive strategies delays elimination goals. Aim: to analyze malaria transmission dynamics in th...
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