Primary Prevention Behavior for Cervical Cancer among Husbands

Abstract

This qualitative research aims to examine primary prevention behaviors for cervical cancer among husbands. The data collection was administered through observations, in-dept interviews, and document studies. Triangulation was employed to verify the reliability of the data. The data were analyzed using content analysis. The results revealed that key informant aged between 21 and 63 years old. The informants’ cervical cancer primary prevention behaviors included four methods consist of getting human papillomavirus  (HPV) vaccine, using condoms, having only one partner, and keeping personal hygiene. The participant's shared their problems including having premarital sex (sex before marriage), having extramarital sex (sex with others who were not their wives/partners), and sex beliefs. The husbands suggested measures for cervical cancer prevention included promoting sex education in schools, increasing channels to distribute health information, and providing cervical cancer screenings by health care providers from outside of the area. Conditional factors that affected cervical cancer primary prevention behaviors were two points: 1) beliefs and negative attitude regarding sexual relationships and 2) knowledge regarding cervical cancer prevention among men group. The recommendations for primary care units included adding more channels for health information regarding cervical cancer prevention appropriated to the local contexts. It was also recommended that health care providers should promote sex education for adolescence and promote cervical cancer prevention education among males.