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An Inquiry into Cancer-Related Knowledge, Understanding, and Health-Seeking Behavior of Men Living in South Africa

An Inquiry into Cancer-Related Knowledge, Understanding, and Health-Seeking Behavior of Men... In 2018, we conducted a survey among a convenience sample of men (n = 205) living in a resource-poor, semi-urban community in South Africa. We aimed to describe what they know about cancer by asking questions about cancer-related knowledge and understanding, and health-seeking behavior. We also investigated possible relationships between the variables. We used a researcher-administered questionnaire to collect the data and descriptive statistics and quantitative content analyses for the analysis. Chi-square was used to examine the relationships. The mean age of the sample was 35 years, and 49.8% (n = 102) attended 11 or 12 years of school. One-third (32.7%; n = 67) indicated they knew what cancer was, but only 28.8% (n = 59) gave an explanation: “very dangerous/a killer/worse than HIV” were the most common explanations. Only 24.9% (n = 51) were able to identify a possible warning sign, and “feeling very sick” was the most common. However, more than 60% considered six of the seven warning signs of cancer as serious. When suspecting they might have cancer, most (77%; n = 159) indicated they would tell the preferred person within 1 week, while 5.9% (n = 12) would tell “nobody.” Although the majority (52.2%; n = 107) felt their partners and families motivated them to seek healthcare when sick, 28.3% (n = 58) needed permission to consult a professional. Educating the community about cancer in a culturally sensitive manner, irrespective of their educational level and perceived knowledge of cancer, could improve knowledge and understanding and lead to seeking healthcare timely. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Journal of Cancer Education Springer Journals

An Inquiry into Cancer-Related Knowledge, Understanding, and Health-Seeking Behavior of Men Living in South Africa

Mgawi, Owens; Maree, Johanna E.
Journal of Cancer Education , Volume 37 (6): 6 – Dec 1, 2022
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Publisher
Springer Journals
Copyright
Copyright © American Association for Cancer Education 2021
ISSN
0885-8195
eISSN
1543-0154
DOI
10.1007/s13187-021-02052-9
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

In 2018, we conducted a survey among a convenience sample of men (n = 205) living in a resource-poor, semi-urban community in South Africa. We aimed to describe what they know about cancer by asking questions about cancer-related knowledge and understanding, and health-seeking behavior. We also investigated possible relationships between the variables. We used a researcher-administered questionnaire to collect the data and descriptive statistics and quantitative content analyses for the analysis. Chi-square was used to examine the relationships. The mean age of the sample was 35 years, and 49.8% (n = 102) attended 11 or 12 years of school. One-third (32.7%; n = 67) indicated they knew what cancer was, but only 28.8% (n = 59) gave an explanation: “very dangerous/a killer/worse than HIV” were the most common explanations. Only 24.9% (n = 51) were able to identify a possible warning sign, and “feeling very sick” was the most common. However, more than 60% considered six of the seven warning signs of cancer as serious. When suspecting they might have cancer, most (77%; n = 159) indicated they would tell the preferred person within 1 week, while 5.9% (n = 12) would tell “nobody.” Although the majority (52.2%; n = 107) felt their partners and families motivated them to seek healthcare when sick, 28.3% (n = 58) needed permission to consult a professional. Educating the community about cancer in a culturally sensitive manner, irrespective of their educational level and perceived knowledge of cancer, could improve knowledge and understanding and lead to seeking healthcare timely.

Journal

Journal of Cancer Education – Springer Journals

Published: Dec 1, 2022

Keywords: Cancer knowledge; Health-seeking behavior; Men; South Africa

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