Prevalence, Cognitive and Socio-Demographic Determinants of Prostate Cancer Screening

Abstract

Screening may be effective for reducing deaths due to prostate cancer. The aim of this study was determine the prevalence<br />and determinants influencing prostate cancer early detection behaviors based on the theory planned behavior (TPB).<br />In this cross-sectional study, conducted in the west of Iran, a total of 250 men aged 50 to 70 years old were randomly<br />selected to participate. Of these, 200 (80%) signed the consent form and voluntarily agreed to take part. A structured<br />questionnaire based on TPB constructs was applied for collecting data by interview. Analyses were conducted with<br />SPSS version 16 using bivariate correlations, and logistic and linear regression. Some 26.5% of the participants<br />demonstrated prostate cancer early detection behavior. Age higher than 60 (OR: 5.969), academic education (OR: 2.904),<br />number of family members more than four (OR: 3.144), and knowledge about prostate cancer (OR: 3.693) were the<br />most influential predictive factors for early detection behavior. Furthermore, among the TPB constructs, attitude<br />(OR=1.090) and subjective norms (OR=1.280) were the most influential predictors. Attitude, subjective norms, and<br />perceived behavioral control accounted for 43% of the variation in the outcome measure of the intention to screen<br />for prostate cancer (adjusted R squared= 0.43, F= 49.270 and P < 0.001). Designing and implementation programs to<br />increase positive attitudes and encourage subjective norms towards prostate cancer screening behavior may be useful<br />for promotion of early detection.