Date of Conferral

2020

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Public Health

Advisor

Jeanne Connors

Abstract

Many facilities in Kendubay, Kenya offer cervical cancer screening and treatment services, yet many women in this rural community do not undergo screening. This lack of preventive care may be attributable to lack of support from men in the community. There exists a gap in the literature concerning the knowledge and perceptions of men about cervical cancer and related screening procedures. The purpose of this qualitative study was to describe the knowledge and perceptions of men in the community about cervical cancer and screening, and how men’s knowledge and perceptions influence women to undergo cervical cancer screening. The study used a narrative design and was guided by the structures of the health belief model. Face-to-face interviews, using a semi structured interview protocol, were conducted with 15 men aged 18–60 years. The data were analyzed to identify themes and subthemes. Five themes were developed in the areas of 1) Knowledge and awareness of cervical cancer and screening. 2) Perception of cervical cancer and screening. 3) Sources of information for cervical cancer and screening. 4) Action for or against cervical cancer and screening and 5) Cultural and religious beliefs. The main findings of the study were that the men did not have knowledge of cervical cancer, and their perceptions of the disease were negative. Because of this, the men did not support women’s pursuit of cervical cancer screening. These Findings may lead to positive social change in that they may indicate a need for public health practitioners to institute health education and promotion programs related to cervical cancer that specifically target men.

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