Patient’s and Family’s Perceptions Towards Diagnosis of Prostate Cancer in Tharaka Nithi County, Kenya

Abstract

Cancers are leading cause of death in developed nations and the second leading cause of death in developing nations. One of the most frequently diagnosed cancer among men is Prostate cancer (PCa) which is a disease process whereby cells of the prostate proliferate abnormally, ignoring growth-regulating signals in the environment surrounding the cells. Perceptions influence health and well-being outcomes of PCa patients. It is important that health professionals understand the patient‟s and family‟s perceptions to the diagnosis so that they can provide optimal care. Unfortunately, the perceptions associated with the diagnosis of PCa are not directly addressed in many countries including Kenya. In Tharaka Nithi County, reviewed literature shows that perceptions of prostate cancer patients and their families are largely unknown despite their effect on the prostate cancer management and health seeking behaviour. This is because no such research has been done in Tharaka Nithi County. Therefore, this research study aimed at exploring the patient‟s and family‟s perceptions towards diagnosis of prostate cancer in Tharaka Nithi County, Kenya. The study population comprised of families and PCa patients attending Chogoria mission hospital, Magutuni sub-county hospital, Chuka county hospital and Tharaka sub-county hospital which were selected purposefully, from which a sample of 70 patients and 65 family members was obtained. Purposive sampling method was used to sample patients and families where the required patient and family was identified and participated in the study. Data was collected using interview schedules and focus group discussions and summarized using descriptive statistics. Statistical analyses for association between variables was done using chi-square tests. The study revealed that; men in the age group 60-70 were most prone to the development of prostate cancer. A high percentage of patients and families perceived that prostate cancer was caused by genetic factors and should be treated by medical personnel. Over 50% of the patients and families had no idea of the symptoms of prostate cancer neither had they heard of it before the patient was diagnosed. The study also revealed that 50% of the patients suffered hypertension, 80% did not believe the diagnosis at first and over 50% perceived the diagnosis as a death sentence. PCa patients showed the highest level of acceptance and lung cancer patients the poorest acceptance of illness. Over 90% of the patients and families observed general health improvement after medication. Over 78% of the patients and family‟s had embraced insurance as a way of meeting the medical expenses. A study in Tanzania showed that men had poor health seeking behaviour after diagnosis with PCa and this was because they felt that their masculinity had been eroded. The statistics in this study portray a good health seeking behaviour following the diagnosis of prostate cancer. In conclusion, the outcome of this study demonstrated that patients and families had low level of knowledge about PCa. A strong correlation was demonstrated between family history and increased risk of PCa. However, it was demonstrated that family history of PCa did not increase levels of knowledge on the causes of PCa. The study recommends national policy on Prostate Cancer diagnosis and public health information on the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer.