| dc.description.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. | en_US |
