Abstract:

Background: The occurrence of HIV/AIDS has changed the characteristics of many diseases, including cancers. Some cancers now been identified as AIDS defining cancers (malignancies), for example, cervical cancer, however, no clear association has been made between HIV/AIDS and breast cancer. The treatment of HIV/AIDS with anti-retroviral drugs has helped to decrease the AIDS defining malignancies, but cervical cancer has shown not to be affected, in fact, it has increased in prevalence and incidence.

Objectives: To assess the knowledge, awareness, attitude and behavioral practices of breast and cervical carcinoma in men at Ushetu district.

Methodology: A cross sectional study was conducted in August that included men fun from Ushetu district. A structured questionnaire was used to collect information on socio-demographic data and knowledge, awareness, attitudes and behavioral practices of breast and cervical carcinoma in association with HIV/AIDS in men from Ushetu district.

Results: In this study 63.5% of the participants were aware of the presence of cancer in general, and it also showed that the participants had a good attitude towards cancer. These participants also had poor knowledge on symptoms and risk factors regarding breast and cervical cancer and had good practice as they had good health care seeking cancer and HIV.

Conclusion: The research revealed that most men in Ushetu district in Shinyanga, Tanzania, are not knowledgeable regarding cervical and breast cancer, and cancer, and cancers in general. However, they showed a positive attitude in terms of supporting their family members in terms of health seeking behavior and utilizing services from the health facilities. Future efforts should be made to provide cervical and breast cancer educational opportunities towards men. More researchers are needed among both men and women to establish how to best involve men in cervical and breast prevention efforts.