PREVALENCE AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS WITH PROSTATE EXAMS PERFORMED FOR MEN AGED 45 YEARS-OLD OR MORE IN A SOUTHERN CITY OF BRAZIL

Introduction: In a controversial context about prostate cancer screening in general population – the Brazilian Health Department does not indicate and others International societies sent your guidelines – the Brazilian Urology Society, through an official note from 2017, recommends starting at 50 years looking for the specialist annually for assessment and discuss risk-benefits and guided those with risk factors (age, afro-descendant, overweight/obese) begin the process at 45 years-old. Objective: The study aimed to investigate the prevalence and associated factors with prostate exams performed for men with 45 years-old or older in the city of Rio Grande, RS, Brazil. Method: A cross-sectional, population-based survey, was carried out in 2016, with 45 years-old or more individuals from the urban area. The sample was randomly selected and comprised of 281 individuals. The outcome consisted of prostate exam (any moment in the life) considering prostate-specific antigen (PSA) or digital rectal examination or both. Independent variables analyzes were: age in years (45-49, 50-59, 60-69 and ≥ 70), skin color (white or other), civil state (single or other), scholarly in years (0-8, 9-11 and ≥ 12), income in tercile (poorest, intermediate, richest), physical practice in leisure-time (yes or no), smoking (yes or no), excess of weight (BMI ≥ 25/m²), health care (yes or no), medical assessment in the last year (yes or no), hypertension (yes or no), diabetes (yes or no), heart disease (yes or no), excessive consumption of alcohol (yes or no), meat consumption (frequency per week). Statistical analyses were performed by Fisher’s Exact test (crude analysis) and by Poisson Regression (adjusted analysis). Results: The prevalence of prostate exam sometime in life was 68% (95%CI 62 to 74). That prevalence increased with age, schooling level and income (p < 0,001). Also, it was higher among those not single (p < 0,001), non-smoker (p < 0,001), with weight excess (p = 0,001) and who practiced physical activity (p < 0,001). Men who had health care (p < 0,001) or a medical visit in the previous year (p < 0,001) presented a higher probability of had done prostate exams. Other variables (chronic conditions, alcohol or consumption) did not show statistical significance. Conclusion: About 3 in every 10 men never performed prostate exam. More attention should be given to poorer individuals, with an unhealthy lifestyle (smoking and physical inactivity) and with less access to health services.