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 working in hospitals about testicular cancer (TC) and self-examination of testicles (TSE) and to determine levels of consciousness and implementation status about TSE. MATERIALS AND METHODS This cross-sectional study was conducted with technicians working in hospitals (n=243) between 2nd January-31st May 2012 at private and governmental hospitals in urban Kayseri. Healthy control subjects (n=235) who were similar to technicians in terms of age, education level and income status were also included to the study. Chi-square test was used in comparison 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 difference between the two groups in terms of knowing how to do TSE and 80% of both groups were unaware this exam. Of technicians, 19.8% and of controls, 25.5% did TSE, the difference being statistically insignificant. First reason for not 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 several times 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 and controls. However compliance with the recommended frequency and right method was low. Consequently, public health educationshould be planned and applied in order to increase the knowledge of TC and TSE.