The effect of testicular cancer and testicular self-examination on knowledge, attitude and health beliefs in university students in Turkey

Abstract

Purpose – This research was planned and applied as a descriptive study in order to determine the knowledge, attitudes and behaviors about testicular cancer (TC) and testicular self-examination (TSE) of male students who receiving health education. Design/methodology/approach – This descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted between May and August 2019 with male students. Early diagnosis of TC is quite important in terms of prognosis of the disease. The data were collected by using the questionnaire prepared by the researchers in accordance with the literature and the Turkish version of health belief model scale (HBMS) for TSE. The data were analyzed by number, percentage, mean and standard deviation and t test. Findings – TSE HBMS, it was observed that the mean score of susceptibility subscale was 11.23 ± 3.73, the mean score of seriousness subscale was 28.20 ± 7.66, the mean score of benefit subscale was 21.57 ± 5.90, the mean score of the barriers subscale was 22.74 ± 5.16, the mean score of self-efficacy subscale was 9.91 ± 3.13 and the mean score of the health motivation subscale was 8.92 ± 2.84. Originality/value – There was a statistically significant relationship between having heard of TC and health motivation (p < 0.05). There was a statistically significant relationship between the knowledge of TC and self-efficacy and health motivation (p < 0.05). There was a significant relationship between self-efficacy and TSE performing status (p < 0.05). There was also a significant relationship between the desire to obtain information about TSE and seriousness, barriers, self-efficacy and health motivation (p < 0.05). It was determined that majority of university students did not have any information about TC and TSE.

Keywords

• testicular cancer
• testicular self-examination
• turkey