Testicular Cancer and Testicular Self-Examination: Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Among University Students in Ghana

Testicular cancer (TCa) represents approximately 1% of all male cancers globally and is most common in males aged 15-44 years. Studies have shown poor knowledge and awareness of TCa and testicular self-exam TSE practice among university students. In sub-Saharan Africa, some studies provide insight into possible factors such as poor public knowledge or awareness of TCa, and TSE related to poor health outcomes in males. In Ghana, no such data exists. A cross-sectional study assessed knowledge of and attitudes towards TCa and TSE practices among undergraduate male students at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), in southern Ghana. A total of 391 undergraduate male students aged between 17 and 35 years old participated in the survey. Half (49.4%) of the male students reported having been aware of TCa, and almost none (0.5%) knew of anyone in their family member or close environment (e.g., friends, neighbors) who was diagnosed with TCa. Overall, media (61.3%) was the students’ main source of information for accessing TCa information and most students (80.5%) reported interest in receiving information on TCa and TSE. Fifth-year students had greater knowledge of TCa and TSE than did students in all other academic years. A lack of knowledge on how to perform a TSE was a significant barrier to why students did not perform a TSE (χ2 82.84, p=0.00). Other reported barriers were not caring (16.6%), attributing the TSE exam to a sin (6.4%), feelings of shame/guilt (12,0%), and cultural barriers (7.2%). To our knowledge, this is the first study that investigated TCa and TSE awareness, knowledge, and practice in male Ghanaian university students. Our data indicate a lack of proper and adequate TCa and TSE information among adolescent and university-aged males in Ghana. Thus, a health promotion program designed to target this cohort to encourage early detection is paramount. Access to programs that provide accurate and high-quality information can ensure the successful attainment of accurate and high-quality knowledge and awareness.