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Background <p>Testicular cancer (TC) is a rare but curable malignancy that commonly affects men aged 15–45. Early diagnosis significantly increases the chance of survival, with five-year survival rates exceeding 95% in early stages. Testicular self-examination (TSE) is a simple and cost-effective method for early detection; However, awareness and practice remain low, especially in low-resource countries, highlighting the urgent need for educational interventions and culturally appropriate programs to improve TSE knowledge and uptake among young men. The aim of this study is to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding TC and TSE among medical students in Afghanistan.</p> Methods <p>A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study was conducted among 319 male students at Kabul University of Medical Sciences from February to April 2025. Participants were selected using a stratified random sampling method. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 27, applying chi-square tests, Spearman’s correlation, and logistic regression. A p-value &lt; 0.05 was considered statistically significant.</p> Results <p>Among 319 male students (response rate: 96.4%), most (69.3%) were aged 21–25 years, and the majority were single (91.2%). Overall, 87.8% demonstrated good knowledge of testicular cancer (TC), and 97.2% showed a positive attitude toward TC and testicular self-examination (TSE). Despite this, Awareness of TSE was low (24.8%), and only 11% had ever performed it. TSE practice was significantly associated with age group (<i>p</i> = 0.037), family history of TC (<i>p</i> = 0.039), and testicular abnormalities (<i>p</i> = 0.005). In multivariable analysis, higher academic year was inversely associated with knowledge (AOR = 0.70; <i>p</i> = 0.034), while testicular abnormalities were positively associated with TSE practice (AOR = 2.72; <i>p</i> = 0.046). No significant correlations were observed between knowledge, attitude, and practice scores.</p> Conclusions <p>Despite positive attitudes, students demonstrated poor knowledge and low TSE practice. Our findings underscore the urgent need to enhance awareness and practice of testicular self-examination among Afghan medical students through culturally relevant educational interventions and awareness campaigns. Interventions such as curriculum-based education and culturally appropriate awareness programs are urgently needed to promote early detection of TC in Afghan male youth.</p>

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Knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding testicular cancer and testicular self-examination among medical students in Afghanistan

  • 期刊论文

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年8月5日

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  • Naweedullah Noori,
  • Bashir Ahmad Qudrati,
  • Fazel Ahmad Muhammadi,
  • Rohullah Sakhi,
  • Shabir Ahmad Qudrati

摘要

Background

Testicular cancer (TC) is a rare but curable malignancy that commonly affects men aged 15–45. Early diagnosis significantly increases the chance of survival, with five-year survival rates exceeding 95% in early stages. Testicular self-examination (TSE) is a simple and cost-effective method for early detection; However, awareness and practice remain low, especially in low-resource countries, highlighting the urgent need for educational interventions and culturally appropriate programs to improve TSE knowledge and uptake among young men. The aim of this study is to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding TC and TSE among medical students in Afghanistan.

Methods

A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study was conducted among 319 male students at Kabul University of Medical Sciences from February to April 2025. Participants were selected using a stratified random sampling method. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 27, applying chi-square tests, Spearman’s correlation, and logistic regression. A p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

Among 319 male students (response rate: 96.4%), most (69.3%) were aged 21–25 years, and the majority were single (91.2%). Overall, 87.8% demonstrated good knowledge of testicular cancer (TC), and 97.2% showed a positive attitude toward TC and testicular self-examination (TSE). Despite this, Awareness of TSE was low (24.8%), and only 11% had ever performed it. TSE practice was significantly associated with age group (p = 0.037), family history of TC (p = 0.039), and testicular abnormalities (p = 0.005). In multivariable analysis, higher academic year was inversely associated with knowledge (AOR = 0.70; p = 0.034), while testicular abnormalities were positively associated with TSE practice (AOR = 2.72; p = 0.046). No significant correlations were observed between knowledge, attitude, and practice scores.

Conclusions

Despite positive attitudes, students demonstrated poor knowledge and low TSE practice. Our findings underscore the urgent need to enhance awareness and practice of testicular self-examination among Afghan medical students through culturally relevant educational interventions and awareness campaigns. Interventions such as curriculum-based education and culturally appropriate awareness programs are urgently needed to promote early detection of TC in Afghan male youth.