Evaluation of Testicular Self-examination Technique and Testis Cancer Knowledge Levels of Final-year Medical Students

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the adequacy of knowledge regarding testicular self-examination (TSE) in final-year medical students and determine the TSE performance rate among male students. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted with final-year students in the Meram Medical Faculty of Necmettin Erbakan University in the 2015-2016 academic year. The target population of the study was 233 people and all 202 people who agreed to participate in the survey were included. A data collection form consisting of 29 questions was prepared for the study and was completed under observation. Questions regarding TSE technique and knowledge of TSE and testicular cancer were scored as 1 point for each correct answer and 0 points for incorrect answers. Scores ≥6 points for TSE technique and ≥10 points for TSE and testicular cancer knowledge were regarded as adequate. Results: The mean age of the participants was 24.12±1.32 years; 44.1% were women and 89.6% were single. Nearly 25% of the students reported they knew how to perform TSE and 32.1% had performed TSE before. History of cancer in a first-degree relative was reported by 17.4% of the students, but no students had family history of testicular cancer. Fifty-three of the students who claimed to know how to perform TSE, only 34% (n=18) scored at least 6 points in the TSE technique questions. Evaluation of scores in the TSE and testicular cancer knowledge section showed that 21.3% (n=37) scored above the 10 point limit. Conclusion: In our study, it was observed that most of the final-year medical students did not have sufficient information on TSE and testicular cancer, and that TSE rates of male students were low.

Beliefs and behaviours of students in health‐related faculties regarding testicular self‐examination

“…In the study, it was determined that over half of all students had not received any information about TSE. Similar to our findings, Uyar and colleagues stated that only about 26% of final‐year medical students knew how to perform TSE 32 . Moreover, in a related study conducted with undergraduate nursing students, it was reported that previously percentage of informed related to testis cancer was 17.1% 33 .…”

“…On the other hand, among studies conducted with students in health sciences in our country, there are studies in which rates of performing TSE regularly are lower 11.1%, 37 17.7%, 22 21.5% 38 and 32.1%. 32 In our study, 59.6% of students stating that they performed TSE were nursing faculty students. It was seen that the percentage of nursing faculty students who had knowledge/had received information about TSE (59.6%) and who performed TSE (59.6%) was higher and constituted a significant difference compared to students of the other faculties (Table 2).…”

“…In this study, students who stated that they carried out TSE made up about half of all participants. On the other hand, among studies conducted with students in health sciences in our country, there are studies in which rates of performing TSE regularly are lower 11.1%, 37 17.7%, 22 21.5% 38 and 32.1% 32 …”

“…Similar to our findings, Uyar and colleagues stated that only about 26% of final-year medical students knew how to perform TSE. 32 Moreover, in a related study conducted with undergraduate nursing students, it was reported that previously percentage of informed related to testis cancer was 17.1%. 33 In other related studies carried out with students, too, it was revealed that over half of participants had no knowledge about TSE.…”

The effect of education given to university students on health beliefs and testicular self‐examination

“…Although testicular cancer ranks first among the most common types of cancer in men aged 15-24 in Turkey, the limited number of intervention studies and trainings on testicular cancer in the literature has revealed the need for studies in this area. Based on the information in the literature and the inadequacy of early diagnosis activities, it is seen that there is a lack of information about TSE and it would be beneficial to include different education models in adult education.…”