Husbands’ Knowledge of Breast Cancer and Their Wives’ Attitudes and Practices Related to Breast Cancer Screening in Saudi Arabia: Cross-sectional Online Survey

Abstract

Background Despite Saudi Arabia’s free and well-established cancer care program, breast cancer incidence and mortality are rising. Husbands’ knowledge, and wives’ attitudes and practices related to breast cancer screening are not well understood in Saudi Arabia. Objective The aim of this study was to investigate husbands’ knowledge, and wives’ attitudes and practices related to breast cancer screening in Saudi Arabia. Methods This cross-sectional study collected data from 403 husbands in the holy city of Makkah through an online self-reported questionnaire over a period of 2 months, from May 6 to July 7, 2020. Tabulation, bivariate, and multiple regression analyses were the major tools used for data analysis. Multivariate logistic regressions were used to examine the association between husbands’ knowledge and wives’ behavior regarding breast cancer screening methods. Results Husbands’ knowledge score (a 1-point increase) was significantly associated with the wives’ utilization of mammograms (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 1.089, 95% CI 1.024-1.159) and breast self-examination (AOR 1.177, 95% CI 1.105-1.255). Husbands’ knowledge also influenced the wives’ attitudes toward learning about breast self-examination (AOR 1.138, 95% CI 1.084-1.195). There was no significant association between husbands’ knowledge and wives’ utilization of clinical breast examination. However, richer husbands showed a socioeconomic gradient concerning their wives’ utilization of clinical breast examinations (AOR 2.603, 95% CI 1.269-5.341). Conclusions Overall, husbands’ knowledge of breast cancer influences wives’ attitudes and practices related to breast cancer screening methods in Saudi Arabia. Thus, interventions delivered to husbands might increase breast cancer awareness and survival.

Practice of Breast Self-Examination and Knowledge of Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening

“…An earlier report from Saudi Arabia also identified sociocultural influence as a barrier to the uptake of BCS. Sociocultural barriers must be addressed so they do not undermine the impact of well-established cancer screening programs [11]. A greater percentage (97.8%) of Egyptian women from this present study believed early detection increases chances of survival in a clear improvement over 42.9% reported in an earlier report [9] on Egyptian women.…”

“…Despite the low awareness, most (88.9 %) were willing to do the test but 70 % of them mentioned that they will need the approval of their husband [16]. This again reiterates the need to educate men on BCS and CCS [11,16]. Poor CCS and HPV awareness were also reported in studies involving 516 [17] and 770 [18] Ethiopian women.…”

“…The study likewise identified a significant difference in respondent's age and marital status about BC knowledge. Major efforts to promote BCS have focused on women, but a study from Saudi Arabia [11] identified that husband's BC knowledge influences their wives' practices or attitudes towards BCS. Educating men on BCS and CCS might be a promising approach in several countries in the Middle East, Africa, Arab nations, and other parts of the world where husbands play key roles in their wives' decision making.…”

Stigma related to breast cancer among women and men: The case of the Druze minority in Israel

“…It may be the case that subscription to more traditional gender roles in Druze society informs the way Druze men and women view health and illness. Recent research conducted in Saudi Arabia, a relatively traditional society, illustrated that husbands' knowledge can have an impact on their wives' attitudes and practices related to breast cancer screening methods (Sabgul et al, 2021). In communities characterized by traditional patriarchal gender roles, similarities in views held by women and men may originate from shared religious values or even arise from a woman's deference to her husband.…”

Women’s Awareness and Beliefs of Breast Cancer at Al-Baha, Saudi Arabia

“…Although Saudi Arabia provides a free and high-quality breast care services, the incidence of BC and its mortality and morbidity are still increasing. Husband's knowledge and attitudes toward BC screening are not satisfactory in Saudi Arabia [8].…”