Muslim Husbands’ Roles in Women’s Health and Cancer: The Perspectives of Muslim Women in Indonesia

Abstract

Background: Breast and cervical cancers are the most common cause of cancer death among women in the world.<br />These cancers are detectable early, however only a few women participate in cancer screening especially in developing<br />countries, including Indonesia. Family, culture and religion can influence why women have screening. Husbands, in<br />Muslim families have a significant role in the family's health including their wife's reproductive health. However,<br />information about Muslim husbands' roles in wife's health especially cancer is limited. Objective: The purpose of<br />this study was to determine Muslim husband's roles in women's health and cancer from the perspectives of Muslim<br />women. Methods: This study was a qualitative study using a descriptive exploratory approach. Purposive sampling<br />was used to recruit 20 Muslim women, 10 from urban areas and 10 from rural areas of West Java Province, Indonesia.<br />Women were interviewed using a semi-structured interview schedule. Data from the interviews were analyzed using<br />the Comparative Analysis for Interview technique. Results: The study found two main themes emerged from the analysis:<br />Muslim husbands' extensive roles in promoting women's health and Husbands' have limited actions with regard to<br />cancer screening. This study also found similarities between rural and urban women's opinions that in general husbands<br />actively supported promoting women's health. Conclusion: Muslim husbands focused on encouraging women to<br />have healthy lifestyles, however, a lack of support from husbands related to cancer screening. This behaviour could<br />be a hindrance to Muslim women's participation in prevention and the early detection of cancer. There is a need to<br />improve Muslim husbands' awareness in women's cancer.