Table 2 Knowledge of Cancer and its causes among PLHIV and non-PLHIV in Nigerian tertiary health institutions
Knowledge | Substantial finding | Illustrative Quote |
|---|---|---|
Knowledge of cancer | Poor knowledge of cancer | “Cancer is a deadly disease that has no cure” non-PLHIV respondent |
|  |  | “I believe it is a disease that is very rare in men. I have not heard of any man who has had cancer and died but women die of breast cancer” PLHIV respondent |
Causes of cancer | Limited knowledge of causes of cancer | “I have heard that body creams cause cancer and also women who put money in their bra (underwear) fit get cancer” PLHIV participant |
|  |  | “If one drinks dirty water from a dirty bowl or cup that is rusted, one can get cancer” Non PLHIV |
|  |  | “Neglect can cause cancer, if an old person is neglected by their family, they can get cancer” PLHIV respondent |
Symptoms of cancer | Symptoms of breast cancer most commonly remembered | “Someone with cancer can have fever, pain and breast lump” Non PLHIV respondent |
Knowledge of HIV-associated cancers (CC, KS and NHL) | Limited knowledge of HIV –associated cancers among PLHIV | “I have no idea if HIV and Cancer are related” PLHIV respondent |
|  |  | “Kaposi what? Which one is that one again, me I never hear oh” (laughs) PLHIV respondent. sic- (Kaposi what? what does that mean? I have never heard of it). |
|  |  | “Cervical cancer is mainly on women on their private part” PLHIV respondent |
Treatment for cancer | Poor knowledge of cancer treatment | “Native leaves can also cure cancer, like back of mango fruit and guava fruit” PLHIV respondent -(traditional leaves can cure cancer, like leaves from mango fruit and guava fruit) |
|  | Misconceptions about cancer treatment | “Herbalist can cure cancer” non-PLHIV respondent |
|  |  | “I heard that one can have operation and medicine to cure cancer if caught early” PLH V respondent sic-(I heard that one can have surgery and medications to cure cancer if caught early) |