Beliefs, Attitudes and Health-seeking behavior towards ocular cancers among adults in Abuja, Nigeria

Background: To assess the beliefs attitudes, and health seeking behaviors towards ocular cancers among adults in Abuja.Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey of 1,887 Nigerians between June and September 2009 using interviewer-administered questionnaire.Results: The respondents’ reported refraining from interacting with persons afflicted with ocular cancers along these lines: eating together 261/669 (39%), hugging 149/668 (22%), shaking hands 106/561 (19%), laying on the same bed 328/560 (59%), and contracting marriage 462/558 (83%) with ocular cancer patients. However, 416/486 (85.6%) respondents would support getting appropriate health interventions for ocular cancers.Level of education was associated with positive attitudes towards ocular cancers patients (P<0.05). The respondents’ belief on characteristics of ocular cancers included “dangerous” 814/840 (96.6%), unknown nature 19/840 (2.3%); potential to cause blindness 849/882 (96.3%); potentially fatal 665/870 (76.4%), nonfatal 205/870 (23.6%). Also, the respondents believed treating ocular cancer is necessary 651/679 (95.9%) and unnecessary 28/679 (4.2%). About management of ocular cancers, 560/683 (82%) will consult eye doctors while 123/683 (18%) will seek other methods. Suggestions on how to improve management of ocular cancers were: improve public awareness 28.1%, train personnel 16.3%, provision of facilities 17.8%, establish national ocular cancer reference center 13.2% and free/subsidized treatment 13.2%.Conclusion:  Though significant proportion of respondents had the correct beliefs and attitudes towards ocular cancers, effective health education needs to be mounted to reinforce these positive beliefs and attitudes and also convert those with the wrong notions. This will in the long run improve health seeking behaviors.Keywords: ocular cancers, beliefs, attitudes, healthseeking behavior