Peer-Reviewed Journal Details
Mandatory Fields
Saab, Mohamad M.; Landers, Margaret; Hegarty, Josephine
2017
February
European Journal of Oncology Nursing
Exploring men's preferred strategies for learning about testicular disorders inclusive of testicular cancer: A qualitative descriptive study
Validated
Optional Fields
Awareness Men's health Qualitative research Learning Testicular cancer Testicular diseases
26
27
35
Purpose: Men's awareness of testicular disorders is lacking and their intention to seek help for testicular symptoms is sub-optimal. Studies conducted to explore and raise men's awareness of testicular disorders did not address their preferred learning strategies and failed to include men who are at risk for health inequities. The aim of this study was to explore, in-depth, the preferred strategies for learning about testicular disorders inclusive of testicular cancer among men who self-identify as heterosexual, gay, or bisexual. Methods: Maximum variation and snowball sampling were used to recruit 29 men aged 18-47 years. Participation was sought from community and youth organizations and a university in the Republic of Ireland. Semi-structured individual interviews and focus groups were conducted. Interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Inductive analysis of manifest content was used. Results: Seventeen informants self-identified as heterosexual, 11 as gay, and one as bisexual. Four main categories emerged, namely: strategies to enhance awareness (television, internet, campaigns, print media), educational dos and don'ts (tailoring effective messages, drawbacks of national initiatives, ineffective learning strategies), implications of raising awareness (risks and benefits of increasing awareness), and learning among gay and bisexual men (learning needs and strategies). Conclusion: Future studies promoting awareness of testicular disorders should take into account men's preferred learning strategies. National campaigns should be delivered frequently and altered occasionally in order to achieve a top-up effect. Clinicians are encouraged to educate young men about the seriousness of testicular symptoms and the importance of seeking timely medical attention for any abnormalities.
OXFORD
1462-3889
10.1016/j.ejon.2016.11.001
Grant Details