Men’s Misconceptions as Barriers and Key Influencing Factors in Spousal Cervical Cancer Screening Uptake in a Sub-Urban Area of Nigeria, West Africa

Abstrak

Cervical cancer remains a major public health concern in Nigeria, where limited screening uptake, cultural misconceptions, and inadequate awareness continue to hinder early detection and prevention. Men play an important role in influencing their spouses’ healthcare decisions, particularly in communities where husbands are major household decision-makers. This study examined men’s misconceptions about cervical cancer and identified factors influencing their support for spousal cervical cancer screening in a sub-urban area of Ibadan, Nigeria. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted involving 312 men aged 20–69 years, selected through a multistage sampling procedure across the study area. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a structured, semi-structured questionnaire covering sociodemographic characteristics, perceptions and misconceptions regarding cervical cancer, and factors that could enhance support for screening. The instrument’s reliability was confirmed with a Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of 0.78. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, the Chi-square test, analysis of variance, and logistic regression at a 5% significance level. The findings revealed that 35.5% of respondents perceived cervical cancer as a curse associated with promiscuity, while 40.5% believed their spouses were not at risk and therefore did not require screening. Despite these misconceptions, 81.2% perceived cervical cancer screening as beneficial. Educational attainment was significantly associated with misconceptions, with better-educated respondents demonstrating more accurate perceptions. Furthermore, respondents with good knowledge were more likely to demonstrate positive perceptions of screening (OR = 8.0; 95% CI: 3.5–18.4), while positive perceptions were associated with greater support for spousal screening (OR = 2.0; 95% CI: 1.4–4.0). Awareness creation was identified as a key strategy for improving support, reported by 89.6% of respondents, followed by community-based screening services (29.4%) and subsidized screening costs. The study concludes that addressing misconceptions through targeted health education, improving service accessibility, and reducing financial barriers are essential strategies for strengthening male involvement and increasing women’s participation in cervical cancer screening programs in sub-urban Nigeria.