Community Understanding and Attitudes Toward Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Testing for Prostate Cancer Screening: A...

Prostate cancer (PC) significantly impacts men's health globally, including in Saudi Arabia. This study evaluates public awareness of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing, identifies barriers to screening participation, and explores factors influencing knowledge levels in Al Ahsa, Saudi Arabia.

A cross-sectional, self-administered electronic survey was conducted among 388 participants. Convenience sampling was utilized within a population of approximately 1.3 million. The Arabic questionnaire, adapted from a prior study, assessed demographic data, knowledge, and attitudes toward PC and PSA screening. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics and chi-square or Fisher's exact tests, with significance set at p<0.05.

Most respondents were aged 18-28 (75.3%, 292 participants), unmarried (71.6%, 278 participants), and possessed bachelor's degrees (48.7%, 189 participants). Although 62.4% (242 participants) recognized PC as the most common malignancy in men, only 29.1% (113 participants) were aware of PSA testing. A mere 5.9% (23 participants) had previously undergone PSA testing, despite 57.4% (223 participants) acknowledging age over 50 as a risk factor. Notably, 93.3% (362 participants) had never sought medical assistance for prostate issues, with 79.9% (310 participants) expressing the need for additional information. Employment status and educational attainment significantly influenced knowledge levels (p=0.004 and p=0.003).

There is a substantial lack of knowledge and awareness about PC and PSA screening among Saudi participants. Barriers include low perceived risk and fear of diagnosis, compounded by reliance on informal sources such as social media. Addressing these gaps through targeted education and proactive outreach initiatives is crucial for enhancing awareness and encouraging early screening behaviors.