Prostate Cancer Screening and Health Beliefs: A Turkish Study of Male Adults

• Published in: Erciyes Medical Journal 2019-06, Vol.41 (2), p.164-169
• Main Authors: Bilgili, Naile, Kitiş, Yeter
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: health belief model; mass screening; men's health; Prostate cancer; prostatic neoplasms
• ISSN: 2980-2156; 2149-2247
• DOI: 10.14744/etd.2019.45762

Objective: Attitudes and beliefs of people affect health behaviors. Understanding the individual experiences with regard to prostate cancer (PCa) and PCa screening of the participants is important. Thus, researchers and health professionals can take advantage of the results obtained to make an attempt to increase the participation in PCa early diagnosis services. The aim of this research is to determine the personal attitudes and beliefs of Turkish men related to PCa and screening. Materials and Methods: The study design was a cross-sectional survey of 650 Turkish men, 40 years old and older. Data were gathered using the Prostate Cancer Screening–Health Belief Model Scale, a knowledge test for prostate cancer screening, the International Prostate Symptom Score questionnaire, and a researcher-developed personal information form. A correlation and logistic regression analysis (LRA) were used for evaluation. Results: It was determined that the knowledge score had a strong positive correlation with the symptom score and the seriousness perception and that it had a poor positive correlation with the susceptibility and the benefit perceptions. The prostate symptom score had a strong positive correlation with the susceptibility, seriousness, and motivation perception. It was determined that age (OR=1.057, 1.017–1.099 CI [confidence interval] 95%), a higher symptom score (OR=0.21; 0.009–0.050 CI 95%), and a history of prostate problem in the family (OR=1.086; 1.037–1.137 CI 95%) affected getting an examination in the past. Conclusion: Age, the education level, a prostate symptom score, family history of prostate problems, and motivation perceptions have been found to be important predictors of men's PCa screening behavior.