Abstract:
Background: The incidences of breast, cervical and uterine malignancies continue to increase in Sri Lanka. It is
important to explore the awareness of both women and their male partners regarding these malignancies and
available screening services as it would determine the health seeking behaviours of females.
Methods: This was a cross sectional survey of couples residing in the Galle District of the Southern province of Sri
Lanka. The sample was selected from all 17 health administrative divisions of the district. An interviewer administered
questionnaire was used to collect data on demography and level of awareness (risk factors, symptoms, signs,
screening services) of breast, cervical and uterine cancers. Same questionnaire was used for both sexes except
for gender specific questions.
Results: A total of 282 (n-282, 564 individuals) couples were interviewed. The level of awareness regarding all
malignancies was low. More than 50 % of participants in both sexes scored less than half the points on a questionnaire
testing awareness. Better family income, better education and permanent employment showed a significant
association with better awareness in both sexes (univariate analysis). Encouragement by male partner was
associated with better participation in some instances.
Conclusions: Community based health education on female malignancies needs to target both sexes. Educating
males is important as, i) male partners can encourage females to utilize screening services and ii) some screening and
preventive measures are relevant to males also. Better awareness of males may increase the uptake of screening
services by females in societies with male dominant gender roles.
