Determinants of prostate specific antigen screening test uptake in an urban community in North-Central Nigeria

Background: Despite the increasing incidence of Prostate cancer, there has not been any focused screening policy or strategy in sub-Saharan Africa including Nigeria. Objectives: To assess the level of awareness and uptake of PSA screening test and their determinants in a Nigerian community. Methods: A cross-sectional population survey of men with no prior history of prostate cancer was carried out. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the effect of identified variables in predicting awareness and uptake of prostate cancer screening. Results: Mean age was 51.5±9.8 years; a few men (31, 16.9%) had ever heard of the screening test and most got the information from health centers. A low proportion (8, 4.4%) had taken the screening test. Men with incomes above poverty line (OR = 11.7 2.8-50.1, p =.001) or those with health insurance (OR = 2.7 1.2-6.5, p =.023) were significantly more likely to be aware of the test. Only the men with higher incomes (OR = 25.6 5.8-114.2, p =.0001) were significantly more likely to have taken the test. Conclusion: Higher incomes and health insurance status impact screening awareness but only income status determines if men subsequently proceed to take the PSA screening test.