Knowledge Of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia And Ultrasound Screening Among Non-Academic Males Of A University Community In Enugu, South- East, Nigeria

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) is a worldwide disorder among men. Studies have shown that high proportion of adult males have symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia in Nigeria. The aim of this work is to assess the knowledge of elderly men about prostatic hyperplasia and its implication which should prompt them to go for medical advice and also their knowledge of sonographic screening among males in the community. A prospective cross sectional study was conducted among non academics males of a University community in Enugu state south-East Nigeria, using a semi structured questionnaire. Informed consent was obtained from participants in the study, acceptance to participate was considered as consent. The questionnaire had two sections, A and B. Section A assessed their demography including educational level and section B assessed the objectives of the study which included knowledge of signs and symptoms as well as the risk factors of benign prostatic hyperplasia. The respondents with higher education had better knowledge of the disorder than those with lower education. A range of 75.4% to 96.7% with a mean of 85.6% (x = 85%) did not know the signs and symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia. A range of 59.2% to 97.5% with a mean of 67.2% (x = 67.2%) did not know the risk factors. 52.1% did not know that simple ultrasound screening could be carried out for benign prostatic hyperplasia. The knowledge of the signs and symptoms as well as the risk factors for BPH was higher among the more educated subjects. Generally, the knowledge was also poor among the educated. Therefore, apart from formal education, other forms of education are necessary to raise the knowledge in order to prompt the elderly men to seek medical advice. General education on benign prostatic hyperplasia to the public for both educated and lesser educated will enhance time of presentation for medical advise and hence better prognosis.