Awareness and Knowledge of Penile Cancer Among University Students in Ghana

Penile cancer is a rare but preventable malignancy with disproportionately high burden in low- and middle-income countries. In Ghana, data on knowledge of penile cancer among university students, where health information dissemination can have a broader public health impact, are limited. This study assessed penile cancer awareness among university students in Ghana, focusing on knowledge of risk factors, symptoms, and prevention, and identifying misconceptions and perceived barriers to care. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 781 tertiary students at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and Presbyterian University, Ghana (PUG) between April and July 2025. Data were collected using a web-based, self-administered questionnaire administered via Google Forms, and analyzed using Stata version 14, with a focus on descriptive analysis only. Results were summarized using descriptive statistics, including frequencies and percentages for categorical variables and means with standard deviations for continuous variables. Overall awareness of penile cancer was relatively high (613, 78.5%); however, detailed knowledge was limited. Only 299 (38.3%) of the respondents were aware of its causes, 371 (47.5%) recognized symptoms, and 282 (36.1%) knew prevention methods, while 625 (80.0%) reported never having received formal education on the topic. Human papillomavirus infection (508, 65.0%) and poor genital hygiene (471, 60.0%) were the most commonly identified risk factors. Misconceptions were widespread, and 365 (60.3%) of respondents perceived stigma as a barrier to seeking information or care, despite 689 (93.0%) expressing a desire for further education. Penile cancer awareness among tertiary students in Ghana remains suboptimal, with misconceptions and stigma posing barriers to timely care. Targeted, youth-friendly educational interventions within tertiary institutions are needed to improve knowledge, reduce stigma, and promote early presentation, thereby reducing the disease burden in Ghana and similar settings.