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Men's information‐seeking behavior regarding cancer risk and screening: A meta‐narrative systematic review
Author(s) -
Saab Mohamad M.,
Reidy Mary,
Hegarty Josephine,
O'Mahony Mairin,
Murphy Mike,
Von Wagner Christian,
Drummond Frances J.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
psycho‐oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.41
H-Index - 137
eISSN - 1099-1611
pISSN - 1057-9249
DOI - 10.1002/pon.4506
Subject(s) - cinahl , psycinfo , information seeking , cancer prevention , information seeking behavior , health literacy , medicine , medline , cancer screening , psychological intervention , embarrassment , qualitative research , systematic review , information needs , psychology , cancer , health care , nursing , social psychology , social science , law , economic growth , sociology , world wide web , computer science , political science , library science , economics
Objective Preventive strategies are known to reduce cancer risk and incidence and improve prognosis. Men seldom seek medical information about cancer prevention and risk reduction. The aim of this meta‐narrative systematic review was to critically appraise evidence from qualitative, quantitative, and mixed‐methods studies that explored men's information‐seeking behaviors in relation to cancer prevention and risk reduction. Methods MEDLINE, CINAHL Plus with Full Text, PsycINFO, PsycARTICLES, Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection, Education Full Text, and ERIC were systematically searched for studies published in English between January 1, 2006 and May 30, 2016. A total of 4117 titles were identified; of which, 31 studies were included (21 qualitative studies, 9 quantitative studies, and 1 mixed‐methods study). The methodological quality of the studies was appraised by using different tools. Results Most studies focused on screening for prostate (n = 18) and colorectal cancer (n = 7). Most men were passive information‐gatherers rather than active information‐seekers. Key sources of information included the Internet for active information‐seekers and health care professionals for passive information‐gatherers. Barriers to information‐seeking included information overload, embarrassment, and fear. Low literacy and health literacy levels were addressed in 3 studies and were identified as impediments to active information‐seeking. Facilitators to information‐seeking included family support, media, celebrity endorsements, and targeted information. Conclusions Men's information‐seeking behavior regarding cancer risk reduction, prevention, and screening is influenced by several factors. This necessitates targeted interventions aimed at raising awareness of cancer prevention and screening, while accounting for men's informational needs, preferred learning strategies, and literacy levels.