title: Improving outcomes in cancer diagnosis, prevention and control: barriers, facilitators and the need for health literacy in Ibadan Nigeria.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cancers constitute a significant public health problem in Nigeria. Breast, cervix and prostate cancers are leading causes of cancer-related deaths. Changing diets, lifestyles, HIV/AIDS and macro-structural factors contribute to cancer morbidity and mortality. Poor health information linking cancer risk to individual behaviors, environmental pollutants and structural barriers undermine prevention/control efforts. Studies suggest increasing health literacy and empowering individuals to take preventive action will improve outcomes and mitigate impact on a weak health system.
  
  
  METHODS
  We obtained qualitative data from 80 men, women, and young adults in 11 focus groups to assess beliefs, risk-perceptions, preventive behaviors and perceptions of barriers and facilitators to cancer control in Ibadan, Nigeria and conducted thematic analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Participants demonstrated awareness of cancers and mentioned several risk factors related to individual behaviors and the environment. Nonetheless, myths and misconceptions as well as micro, meso and macro level barriers impede prevention and control efforts.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Developing and implementing comprehensive context-relevant health literacy interventions in community settings are urgently needed.Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Adebola A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Adedimeji
authors.affiliation: Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Epidemiology and Population Health, USA.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lounsbury
authors.affiliation: College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Community Medicine, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Oluwafemi
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Popoola
authors.affiliation: University of Ibadan, Department of Guidance and Counselling, Nigeria.|University College Hospital, LMPC, Department of Radiotherapy, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Chioma
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Asuzu
authors.affiliation: Olabisi Onabanjo University, Sociology/Psychology, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Akinmayowa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lawal
authors.affiliation: College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Community Medicine, Nigeria.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Oladoyin
authors.affiliation: Princeton University, USA.
authors.forename: Cassandra
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Crifase
authors.affiliation: Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Epidemiology and Population Health, USA.
authors.forename: Ilir
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Agalliu
authors.affiliation: Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Epidemiology and Population Health, USA.
authors.forename: Viswanathan
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Shankar
authors.affiliation: College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Community Medicine, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Akindele
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Adebiyi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001364:Awareness; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D057220:Health Literacy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009549:Nigeria; D010465:Perception; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012307:Risk Factors; D055815:Young Adult