Men??s knowledge and health beliefs about testicular cancer and testicular self-examination

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Abstract
This study examined men's knowledge and health beliefs about testicular cancer (TC) and the extent to which males practice testicular self-examination (TSE). The Health Belief Model was used as the theoretical framework. A questionnaire was administered to 126 college-aged male subjects. Variables examined included (a) knowledge of TC and TSE; (b) practice and nonpractice of TSE; (c) health beliefs about TC and TSE; and (d) demographic factors. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, Cronbach's alpha reliability, chi-square, Pearson's product-moment correlation coefficients, and Mann-Whitney U. Twelve subjects reported practice and 114 reported no practice of TSE. The findings revealed a significant difference between the knowledge scores of the practicers and nonpracticers of TSE. In addition, men's beliefs about benefits of performing TSE were more significant between the groups than their beliefs about susceptibility to TC. Further analysis showed that (a) there is a highly significant relationship between the beliefs of susceptibility to TC and the beliefs about TSE, and (b) beliefs of susceptibility were significantly related to the knowledge of TC and TSE. These findings support the relationship of the variables, perceived susceptibility and perceived benefits, and the practice and nonpractice of TSE. Findings further suggest that increased knowledge of TC and TSE could prove to be a motivating force that would stimulate a behavior change.

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