Knowledge, Attitude and Practices of Technicians Working at Hospitals Towards Testicular Cancer and Self-examination of Testicles in Turkey

Background: The present study was conducted to determine knowledge level of technicians workingin hospitals about testicular cancer (TC) and self-examination of testicles (TSE) and to determine levels ofconsciousness and implementation status about TSE. Materials and
Methods: This cross-sectional study wasconducted with technicians working in hospitals (n=243) between 2nd January-31st May 2012 at private andgovernmental hospitals in urban Kayseri. Healthy control subjects (n=235) who were similar to techniciansin terms of age, education level and income status were also included to the study. Chi-square test was used incomparison of categorical variables.
Results: Technicians were significantly more aware of TC than controls,but the latter were found to have significantly more information about TSE. There was no significant differencebetween the two groups in terms of knowing how to do TSE and 80% of both groups were unaware this exam. Oftechnicians, 19.8% and of controls, 25.5% did TSE, the difference being statistically insignificant. First reason fornot doing TSE was “not-knowing” among technicians (48.1%) while it was “ignorance” among controls (66.8%).Of technicians doing TSE, 37.5% did as it came to their mind while 51.7% of controls performed TSE severaltimes in the previous year. Technicians were significantly more afraid of getting TC than controls (p=0.037).
Conclusions: It was determined in the present study that rates of TSE were similar between technicians andcontrols. However compliance with the recommended frequency and right method was low. Consequently, publichealth educationshould be planned and applied in order to increase the knowledge of TC and TSE.