Assessment of knowledge and attitudes concerning risk factors and early detection of prostate cancer among males attending urology outpatient in Al-Zahraa Teaching Hospital

Background: Prostate cancer, one of men's deadliest illnesses, is the second most frequent malignancy and the second largest cause of cancer fatalities. The aetiology of prostate cancer is unclear, although risk factors include age, family history, race, male hormones, diabetes, obesity, a westernised lifestyle, and infections. Early prostate cancer detection improves therapy and reduces deaths. Early diagnosis and screening face several hurdles. Low awareness, a negative attitude towards screening, the cost, misinformation regarding prostate cancer, and the shame of being diagnosed are some of the obstacles. Objectives: to assess male knowledge and attitudes on prostate cancer risk factors and early detection and to assess the association between men' socio-demographic variables and knowledge and attitudes about prostate cancer risk factors and early diagnosis. Material and Methods: A descriptive design study was carried out in Urology Outpatient Clinic of Wasit city hospitals in Iraq, the present study started from November 1st, 2022 to February 1st, 2023. A non-probability (Accidental sample) of 132 patients who agreed to participate was included in the study. The researcher constructed and developed instruments in order to achieve the desired study objectives. Reliability of the instrument was determined through the use of the Cronbach's alpha coefficient, While the instrument validity is determined throughout a panel of experts. Results: The results of the present study showed that mean score of patients' total knowledge 43.07 and attitudes was 21.28.It appeared that there is a statistically significant differences between total knowledge scores of participants and their marital status and education level, and it showed that was statistically significant differences between total scores of attitudes and periodic screening for prostate cancer. The study appeared that high positive associations between knowledge and attitudes of prostate cancer (p < 0.05). Conclusions: This study shows that statistically significant relationship between knowledge and marital status and education level, the study showed that statistically significant relationship between patient attitudes and periodic screening for prostate cancer, and there was a high positive association between knowledge and attitudes toward prostate cancer.