Understanding cervical cancer prevention in Africa: a qualitative systematic review of the role of men
Background Cervical cancer (CC) is a preventable noncommunicable disease if detected early through screening for precancers and appropriately managed. The causal link with high-risk human papillomavirus infection is established, making elimination possible through the WHO multipronged 90:70:90 strat...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
BMJ Publishing Group
2024-12-01
|
| Series: | BMJ Open |
| Online Access: | https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/14/12/e080416.full |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1850242862206156800 |
|---|---|
| author | Lawrence Doi Dorcas Obiri-Yeboah Nancy Innocentia Ebu Enyan Aigli Raouna Michelle King-Okoye Sebastian Ken-Amoah Patrick Kafui Akakpo |
| author_facet | Lawrence Doi Dorcas Obiri-Yeboah Nancy Innocentia Ebu Enyan Aigli Raouna Michelle King-Okoye Sebastian Ken-Amoah Patrick Kafui Akakpo |
| author_sort | Lawrence Doi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background Cervical cancer (CC) is a preventable noncommunicable disease if detected early through screening for precancers and appropriately managed. The causal link with high-risk human papillomavirus infection is established, making elimination possible through the WHO multipronged 90:70:90 strategy. However, practical CC elimination efforts need to address issues within the sociocultural context that can facilitate or hinder prevention strategies. In this regard, the role of men in promoting reproductive health, especially in Africa, cannot be overemphasised.Objective This systematic review examined the extent of involvement of men in CC prevention in Africa and its impact on the WHO CC elimination strategy.Methods A comprehensive search for relevant literature was conducted from 2008 to 2023 in the following electronic databases: Embase, Medline, Global Health, APA PsycINFO, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL Plus and the WHO website. Eligible studies explored the views of n=592 men. Screening of abstracts and titles, data extraction and quality assessment were performed in duplicate. A narrative synthesis was performed, as developed by the Economic and Social Research Council Methods Programme, to synthesise the qualitative data.Results Out of the 1961 studies identified through the electronic database search, 16 met all inclusion criteria. This review revealed varying levels of awareness of CC among men; while some had little to no knowledge, others demonstrated a comprehensive understanding. Gaps in knowledge and perception of CC were evident across studies. Both individual and systemic challenges shaped the perspectives of men on screening as a preventive measure, resulting in a range of attitudes and concerns regarding human papillomavirus vaccination. Though male participation in CC prevention was generally low, it was noted that males were willing to play an active role in CC screening and vaccination by supporting the process. Men believed that aggressive education and awareness creation among men were required.Conclusions This review highlights the need for targeted interventions to improve awareness, knowledge and perception of CC among men. Such efforts are essential to help men recognise their crucial role in supporting CC elimination within the African context.PROSPERO registration number The review protocol was registered on 26 June 2023 in PROSPERO with registration number CRD42023437100. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-03d99d83b5a145f59463c8d2ad7766a3 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2044-6055 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | BMJ Publishing Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMJ Open |
| spelling | doaj-art-03d99d83b5a145f59463c8d2ad7766a32025-08-20T02:00:09ZengBMJ Publishing GroupBMJ Open2044-60552024-12-01141210.1136/bmjopen-2023-080416Understanding cervical cancer prevention in Africa: a qualitative systematic review of the role of menLawrence Doi0Dorcas Obiri-Yeboah1Nancy Innocentia Ebu Enyan2Aigli Raouna3Michelle King-Okoye4Sebastian Ken-Amoah5Patrick Kafui Akakpo63 Department of Nursing Studies, School of Health in Social Science, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK6 Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana1 Department of Public Health Nursing, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana2 Department of Clinical Psychology, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK3 Department of Nursing Studies, School of Health in Social Science, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK4 Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana5 Department of Anatomic Pathology, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, GhanaBackground Cervical cancer (CC) is a preventable noncommunicable disease if detected early through screening for precancers and appropriately managed. The causal link with high-risk human papillomavirus infection is established, making elimination possible through the WHO multipronged 90:70:90 strategy. However, practical CC elimination efforts need to address issues within the sociocultural context that can facilitate or hinder prevention strategies. In this regard, the role of men in promoting reproductive health, especially in Africa, cannot be overemphasised.Objective This systematic review examined the extent of involvement of men in CC prevention in Africa and its impact on the WHO CC elimination strategy.Methods A comprehensive search for relevant literature was conducted from 2008 to 2023 in the following electronic databases: Embase, Medline, Global Health, APA PsycINFO, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL Plus and the WHO website. Eligible studies explored the views of n=592 men. Screening of abstracts and titles, data extraction and quality assessment were performed in duplicate. A narrative synthesis was performed, as developed by the Economic and Social Research Council Methods Programme, to synthesise the qualitative data.Results Out of the 1961 studies identified through the electronic database search, 16 met all inclusion criteria. This review revealed varying levels of awareness of CC among men; while some had little to no knowledge, others demonstrated a comprehensive understanding. Gaps in knowledge and perception of CC were evident across studies. Both individual and systemic challenges shaped the perspectives of men on screening as a preventive measure, resulting in a range of attitudes and concerns regarding human papillomavirus vaccination. Though male participation in CC prevention was generally low, it was noted that males were willing to play an active role in CC screening and vaccination by supporting the process. Men believed that aggressive education and awareness creation among men were required.Conclusions This review highlights the need for targeted interventions to improve awareness, knowledge and perception of CC among men. Such efforts are essential to help men recognise their crucial role in supporting CC elimination within the African context.PROSPERO registration number The review protocol was registered on 26 June 2023 in PROSPERO with registration number CRD42023437100.https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/14/12/e080416.full |
| spellingShingle | Lawrence Doi Dorcas Obiri-Yeboah Nancy Innocentia Ebu Enyan Aigli Raouna Michelle King-Okoye Sebastian Ken-Amoah Patrick Kafui Akakpo Understanding cervical cancer prevention in Africa: a qualitative systematic review of the role of men BMJ Open |
| title | Understanding cervical cancer prevention in Africa: a qualitative systematic review of the role of men |
| title_full | Understanding cervical cancer prevention in Africa: a qualitative systematic review of the role of men |
| title_fullStr | Understanding cervical cancer prevention in Africa: a qualitative systematic review of the role of men |
| title_full_unstemmed | Understanding cervical cancer prevention in Africa: a qualitative systematic review of the role of men |
| title_short | Understanding cervical cancer prevention in Africa: a qualitative systematic review of the role of men |
| title_sort | understanding cervical cancer prevention in africa a qualitative systematic review of the role of men |
| url | https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/14/12/e080416.full |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT lawrencedoi understandingcervicalcancerpreventioninafricaaqualitativesystematicreviewoftheroleofmen AT dorcasobiriyeboah understandingcervicalcancerpreventioninafricaaqualitativesystematicreviewoftheroleofmen AT nancyinnocentiaebuenyan understandingcervicalcancerpreventioninafricaaqualitativesystematicreviewoftheroleofmen AT aigliraouna understandingcervicalcancerpreventioninafricaaqualitativesystematicreviewoftheroleofmen AT michellekingokoye understandingcervicalcancerpreventioninafricaaqualitativesystematicreviewoftheroleofmen AT sebastiankenamoah understandingcervicalcancerpreventioninafricaaqualitativesystematicreviewoftheroleofmen AT patrickkafuiakakpo understandingcervicalcancerpreventioninafricaaqualitativesystematicreviewoftheroleofmen |