Factors Influencing Help-Seeking Behavior in Men with Symptoms of Prostate Cancer: A Qualitative Study Using an Ecological Perspective

Abstract

This qualitative study explored factors that could potentially influence help-seeking in men with symptoms of prostate cancer in Nigeria. A face-to-face interview was conducted with 27 men, between 54 and 84 years, diagnosed with prostate cancer ≤ 2 years prior to the interview. Data were analyzed using thematic framework approach. Several factors were identified and further captured as intrapersonal, interpersonal, and institutional/community level factors using an ecological perspective. These factors interact to impact negatively on the help-seeking behavior of men with symptoms of prostate cancer. These findings support the formulation of public health strategies to improve men’s help-seeking behavior in Nigeria.

Keywords:

• Prostate cancer
• help-seeking behavior
• social-ecological model

Acknowledgment

This study acknowledges Professor Folakemi Odedina, the Principal Investigator of the Prostate Cancer Transatlantic Consortium (CaPTC). Ms Ruth Agaba and Mr Oluwaseyi Toye are further acknowledged for their efforts in providing administrative support for this project.

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflict of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the article.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the US National Cancer Institute (NCI) Center for Global Health and CRDF Global under Grant Award DAA3-18-64725-1; the University of Florida Department of Pharmacotherapy and Translational Research; the University of Florida Department of Radiation Oncology; and the Prostate Cancer Transatlantic Consortium (CaPTC).