Prostate Cancer Screening and Awareness in Northern India: A Study of Barriers and Public Health Interventions in Rural Uttar Pradesh.

Prostate cancer is now a growing public health problem in India. Rural regions in Northern India lack adequate awareness and screening resources. Healthcare is often expensive and not readily available at the onset of diagnosis, and suffering from cancer is culturally stigmatized. This study aimed to bridge the gap in the literature on awareness of prostate cancer and screening obstacles in public healthcare through health campaigns in rural Uttar Pradesh. Methods: This study used a concurrent embedded mixed design, comprised of 500 socioeconomically disadvantaged males and 50 healthcare practitioners. Participants were selected through stratified random sampling and purposive sampling. Quantitative data was collected through structured questionnaires, while qualitative data was gathered through semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions. Quantitative data were processed through SPSS, while qualitative data were processed through NVivo. Results: The public demonstrated low awareness of prostate cancer symptoms, particularly as difficulty urination was only recognized as a symptom by 36% of respondents. Only 10% of respondents recognized the location PSA test as a diagnostic tool. Following the campaign, participatory screening rose from 6% to 36%. The requisite gaps included financial difficulties constituting 60%, lack of information 50%, cultural stigma 20%, and distance to healthcare facilities 24%. The healthcare provider group lacked in-depth awareness and highlighted systemic service delivery gaps. Conclusion: The awareness and screening practices for prostate cancer in rural regions of Northern India are concerningly low due to socio-economic and cultural factors as well as insufficient medical facilities. There is a need for improved public health education, subsidized screening initiatives, and better funding to enhance detection and results.