Barriers to orthodox medical care of prostate cancer in Ghana
Abstract Traditional medicine is widely used in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in Ghana, where it is commonly integrated with modern orthodox medicine. This study examines the barriers that delay the pursuit of orthodox medical care for prostate cancer (PCa) in Ghana’s Central region, where a blen...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Portfolio
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-85180-2 |
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| author | Patrick Opoku Manu Maison Prince Arkoh Ahmed Sani Emmanuel Ekow Mensah-Baidoo Gifty Owusu Esther Yeboah Danso Nana Benyin Koufie Susanna Andzie Perez Gyamfi Emmanuel Omane Sylvester Antwi Nallasivam Palanisamy Clara Hwang Eleanor Walker Valerie Ofori Aboah Evelyn Mawunyo Jiagge |
| author_facet | Patrick Opoku Manu Maison Prince Arkoh Ahmed Sani Emmanuel Ekow Mensah-Baidoo Gifty Owusu Esther Yeboah Danso Nana Benyin Koufie Susanna Andzie Perez Gyamfi Emmanuel Omane Sylvester Antwi Nallasivam Palanisamy Clara Hwang Eleanor Walker Valerie Ofori Aboah Evelyn Mawunyo Jiagge |
| author_sort | Patrick Opoku Manu Maison |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Traditional medicine is widely used in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in Ghana, where it is commonly integrated with modern orthodox medicine. This study examines the barriers that delay the pursuit of orthodox medical care for prostate cancer (PCa) in Ghana’s Central region, where a blend of traditional and modern orthodox medicine exists. The preference for indigenous traditional medicine often results in late-stage presentations of PCa, adversely affecting patient outcomes. This prospective cross-sectional study was conducted from July to December 2022 at the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital (CCTH) and in four local communities. We investigated why men prefer traditional over orthodox medicine and identified cultural beliefs, attitudes, and gaps in health awareness that contribute to delays in diagnosing and treating PCa. The study involved administering questionnaires, providing education on PCa, and conducting free prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening. Ethical approval was obtained from the Ethics Research Committee of the Ghana Health Service. A total of 282 patients participated, including 268 men from the communities and 14 diagnosed with PCa at CCTH after initially consulting traditional healers. Of the community-recruited patients who underwent PSA testing, 26% had elevated PSA levels and underwent further diagnostic procedures. Ultimately, nine of 268 community patients were confirmed to have PCa. Most patients (57.4%) had limited education, which correlated with late presentations and various misconceptions about PCa. The study highlights significant cultural and economic barriers that lead to the late-stage presentation of PCa among men in Ghana’s Central region. There is a critical need for a culturally sensitive, multi-pronged strategy that enhances public education about the benefits of early diagnosis and fosters collaboration between traditional healers and orthodox healthcare providers to improve prostate cancer outcomes in Ghana. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-2410f761ceeb435fb68e564c5a15ea55 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-2410f761ceeb435fb68e564c5a15ea552025-01-12T12:20:12ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-01-011511810.1038/s41598-025-85180-2Barriers to orthodox medical care of prostate cancer in GhanaPatrick Opoku Manu Maison0Prince Arkoh1Ahmed Sani2Emmanuel Ekow Mensah-Baidoo3Gifty Owusu4Esther Yeboah Danso5Nana Benyin Koufie6Susanna Andzie7Perez Gyamfi8Emmanuel Omane9Sylvester Antwi10Nallasivam Palanisamy11Clara Hwang12Eleanor Walker13Valerie Ofori Aboah14Evelyn Mawunyo Jiagge15Department of Surgery, School of Medical Sciences, University of Cape CoastSchool of Medical Sciences, University of Cape CoastDepartment of Surgery, Cape Coast Teaching HospitalSchool of Medical Sciences, University of Cape CoastGhana Health ServiceGhana Health ServiceGhana Health ServiceGhana Health ServiceSchool of Medical Sciences, University of Cape CoastDepartment of Surgery, Cape Coast Teaching HospitalHenry Ford HealthHenry Ford HealthHenry Ford HealthHenry Ford HealthThe Ohio State UniversityHenry Ford HealthAbstract Traditional medicine is widely used in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in Ghana, where it is commonly integrated with modern orthodox medicine. This study examines the barriers that delay the pursuit of orthodox medical care for prostate cancer (PCa) in Ghana’s Central region, where a blend of traditional and modern orthodox medicine exists. The preference for indigenous traditional medicine often results in late-stage presentations of PCa, adversely affecting patient outcomes. This prospective cross-sectional study was conducted from July to December 2022 at the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital (CCTH) and in four local communities. We investigated why men prefer traditional over orthodox medicine and identified cultural beliefs, attitudes, and gaps in health awareness that contribute to delays in diagnosing and treating PCa. The study involved administering questionnaires, providing education on PCa, and conducting free prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening. Ethical approval was obtained from the Ethics Research Committee of the Ghana Health Service. A total of 282 patients participated, including 268 men from the communities and 14 diagnosed with PCa at CCTH after initially consulting traditional healers. Of the community-recruited patients who underwent PSA testing, 26% had elevated PSA levels and underwent further diagnostic procedures. Ultimately, nine of 268 community patients were confirmed to have PCa. Most patients (57.4%) had limited education, which correlated with late presentations and various misconceptions about PCa. The study highlights significant cultural and economic barriers that lead to the late-stage presentation of PCa among men in Ghana’s Central region. There is a critical need for a culturally sensitive, multi-pronged strategy that enhances public education about the benefits of early diagnosis and fosters collaboration between traditional healers and orthodox healthcare providers to improve prostate cancer outcomes in Ghana.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-85180-2Prostate cancerTraditional medicineGhanaHealth barriersEarly diagnosis |
| spellingShingle | Patrick Opoku Manu Maison Prince Arkoh Ahmed Sani Emmanuel Ekow Mensah-Baidoo Gifty Owusu Esther Yeboah Danso Nana Benyin Koufie Susanna Andzie Perez Gyamfi Emmanuel Omane Sylvester Antwi Nallasivam Palanisamy Clara Hwang Eleanor Walker Valerie Ofori Aboah Evelyn Mawunyo Jiagge Barriers to orthodox medical care of prostate cancer in Ghana Scientific Reports Prostate cancer Traditional medicine Ghana Health barriers Early diagnosis |
| title | Barriers to orthodox medical care of prostate cancer in Ghana |
| title_full | Barriers to orthodox medical care of prostate cancer in Ghana |
| title_fullStr | Barriers to orthodox medical care of prostate cancer in Ghana |
| title_full_unstemmed | Barriers to orthodox medical care of prostate cancer in Ghana |
| title_short | Barriers to orthodox medical care of prostate cancer in Ghana |
| title_sort | barriers to orthodox medical care of prostate cancer in ghana |
| topic | Prostate cancer Traditional medicine Ghana Health barriers Early diagnosis |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-85180-2 |
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