title: Exploring men's preferred strategies for learning about testicular disorders inclusive of testicular cancer: A qualitative descriptive study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Men's awareness of testicular disorders is lacking and their intention to seek help for testicular symptoms is sub-optimal. Studies conducted to explore and raise men's awareness of testicular disorders did not address their preferred learning strategies and failed to include men who are at risk for health inequities. The aim of this study was to explore, in-depth, the preferred strategies for learning about testicular disorders inclusive of testicular cancer among men who self-identify as heterosexual, gay, or bisexual.
  
  
  METHODS
  Maximum variation and snowball sampling were used to recruit 29 men aged 18-47 years. Participation was sought from community and youth organizations and a university in the Republic of Ireland. Semi-structured individual interviews and focus groups were conducted. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Inductive analysis of manifest content was used.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seventeen informants self-identified as heterosexual, 11 as gay, and one as bisexual. Four main categories emerged, namely: strategies to enhance awareness (television, internet, campaigns, print media), educational dos and don'ts (tailoring effective messages, drawbacks of national initiatives, ineffective learning strategies), implications of raising awareness (risks and benefits of increasing awareness), and learning among gay and bisexual men (learning needs and strategies).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Future studies promoting awareness of testicular disorders should take into account men's preferred learning strategies. National campaigns should be delivered frequently and altered occasionally in order to achieve a top-up effect. Clinicians are encouraged to educate young men about the seriousness of testicular symptoms and the importance of seeking timely medical attention for any abnormalities.
authors.affiliation: Catherine McAuley School of Nursing and Midwifery, University College Cork, Ireland. Electronic address: msaab@ucc.ie.
authors.forename: Mohamad M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Saab
authors.affiliation: Catherine McAuley School of Nursing and Midwifery, University College Cork, Ireland.
authors.forename: Margaret
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Landers
authors.affiliation: Catherine McAuley School of Nursing and Midwifery, University College Cork, Ireland.
authors.forename: Josephine
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hegarty
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D020010:Heterosexuality / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007494:Ireland; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009373:Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D036301:Qualitative Research; D000072339:Sexual and Gender Minorities / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology*; D013736:Testicular Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Awareness; Learning; Men's health; Qualitative research; Testicular cancer; Testicular diseases