Awele Chukwuedo O
Faculty of Public Health, University of Ibadan
Title: KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDINAL DISPOSITION AND WILLINGNESS OF MEN TO SUPPORT SPOUSES’ CERVICAL CANCER SCREENING IN A SUB-URBAN AREA IN NIGERIA
Biography
Biography: Awele Chukwuedo O
Abstract
In Nigeria Cervical Cancer (CC) screening services are poorly utilised. Men are dominant decision makers on spouses’ utilisation of reproductive health services, but their support for CC screening have not been fully explored. This study aimed at assessing knowledge and attitudinal disposition of men to spouses’ CC screening in a sub-urban area in Nigeria. As a cross-sectional survey, a four-stage sampling procedure was used to select the study LGA, four wards, communities, and 304 men aged 20-69 years. Four focus Group Discussion (FGD) sessions were conducted. Interviewer-administered questionnaire with, a 20-point knowledge, 16-point attitudinal, 10-point willingness scales, and men’s support enhancing factors was used for data collection. Knowledge scores ≥ 10, attitudinal scores >8, and willingness scores ≥7 points were classified as good, positive, and willing respectively. Data were analysed using, Chi-square and Logistic regression tests, at 5% level of significance. Age of respondents was 35.9±9.7 years, 16.1% had tertiary education, and (79.6%) were ever married. Awareness of symptoms, and that screening prevents CC were 1.3%, 42.0% respectively, and 35.5% perceived CC as a curse to promiscuous women. Knowledge, attitudinal, and willingness scores were 5.97± 5.0, 9.5±4.4, and 7.5±2.3 respectively. Many (78.6%) had poor knowledge, (45.7%) negative attitude, and 69.1% willing to support spouse’s CC screening. Suggestions for enhancing support for C.C screening included awareness creation (86.9%). Men with tertiary education were more likely to have good knowledge of CC than those with primary education (OR:3.5, p≤0.05, C.I.=1.5-8.1). Men with good knowledge of CC screening were more likely to have positive attitudinal disposition to screening (OR=20.0, p≤0.05, C.I.7.0-56.2). Men with positive attitudinal disposition, were more likely willin to support screening (OR: 2.0, p≤0.05, C.I.=1.2-3.3). FGD’s reveal willingness of men to permit spouses would be based on their knowledge and affordability of screening. Hence, community-based health education is recommended.