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Knowledge and Practices About Cervical Cancer and Screening Among Married Men in Traditional Authority Nkhumba, Phalombe District

2017; American Society of Clinical Oncology; Volume: 3; Issue: 2_suppl Linguagem: Inglês

10.1200/jgo.2017.009555

2378-9506

Chimwemwe Cealla Lita Mthepheya, Lignet Chepuka,

Cervical Cancer and HPV Research

Abstract 37 Background: Cancer of the cervix is one of the reproductive cancers that are claiming the lives of women worldwide, and Malawi has not been spared. Of the 16 countries with the highest incidence of cervical cancer in Africa, Malawi has been rated the highest, with an incidence of 75.9. Being a reproductive disease, male involvement is critical as men control approximately 95% of sexual relationships in Malawi, but their role in cervical cancer prevention is not known. This study was carried out to investigate the knowledge and practices of married men regarding cervical cancer and screening. Methods: A cross-sectional study recruited 396 married men. Collected data were analyzed by using SPSS for Windows version 16 (SPSS, Chicago, IL). Results: The majority of respondents were not knowledgeable about cervical cancer and cervical cancer screening, as 84.1% did not know the cause, nor did 88.9% know the signs or symptoms of cervical cancer. Only 4% of respondents knew the risk factors, whereas 75.5% had no knowledge. On prevention, 76.5% had no knowledge, and 68.2 % had some knowledge on cervical cancer treatment. Almost all respondents (99%) said they would encourage their spouses to undergo screening, and 71.7 % said that men, as heads of families, are responsible for deciding whether their spouse should access screening services or not. Conclusion: Men have a stake in taking part in cervical cancer prevention. This is a window of opportunity that the Ministry of Health can use to develop strategies that are tailored toward men to participate fully in cervical cancer prevention to reduce its burden. AUTHORS' DISCLOSURES OF POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST No COIs from either author.