Table 2 Awareness and knowledge of cervical cancer among men with partners eligible for cervical cancer screening (n = 110)
From: Men’s knowledge and attitudes about cervical cancer screening in Kenya
N (%) | |
|---|---|
Awareness (% answered yes) | |
Ever heard of cervical cancer | 101 (91.8) |
Ever heard of cervical cancer screening | 98 (89.1) |
Ever heard of HPV | 48 (43.6) |
Ever heard of pap smear | 6 (5.5) |
Ever heard of VIA | 5 (4.6) |
Knows someone with cervical cancer | 5 (4.6) |
Knowledge (% answered correctly)* | |
Screening tests look for changes on your cervix that indicate you are at risk for cancer | 63 (57.3) |
Women should get screened for cervical cancer only if they have symptoms | 82 (74.6) |
If a woman has abnormal vaginal bleeding, discharge, or pain, she should see a medical provider to get screened for cervical cancer | 63 (57.3) |
Cervical cancer can be prevented | 91 (82.7) |
Screening tests can help prevent cervical cancer | 87 (79.1) |
There is no treatment for cervical cancer | 57 (51.8) |
Knowledge of Risk Factors (% answered correctly) | |
Family planning increases risk | 30 (27.3) |
HIV increases risk | 53 (48.2) |
Only HIV + women are at risk | 11 (10.0) |
Washing inside the vagina decreases risk | 30 (27.3) |
Screening decreases risk | 93 (84.6) |
Nothing can prevent cervical cancer because it is fate or the will of God | 83 (74.5) |
Knowledge of HPV (% answered correctly) | |
HPV is an infection that can cause cervical cancer | 22 (20.0) |
HPV is spread during close contact like during sexual intercourse | 24 (21.8) |
HPV infection is always symptomatic | 7 (6.4) |
Composite Knowledge Score (# correct out of 15) (mean +/- SD) | 7.2 +/- 3.0 |