Breast cancer care-seeking behavior in rural Bangladeshthe role of stigma, gender identity, and violence against women
Sixty-three study participants (43 women and 20 men) were interviewed about their experiences. Interviewers elicited barriers to care, facilitators of care, and questions about the attitudes and behaviors of family and community members were in structured interviews.
The study found that breast problems and their treatment put significant resource and emotional strains on the family. Furthermore, over a third of women in this study reported abuse of some kind, with emotional abuse, neglect, and abandonment being the most frequently reported.
The study reinforced barriers to care identified in the literature for South Asian populations, but only a quarter of participants reported stigma of any kind. Lack of knowledge about breast cancer and inability to pay for care were the most frequently reported barriers, followed by access to care and fear of treatment. Facilitators of care among women who received a biopsy point to the importance of support by the husband and husband’s family, as well as the ability to identify economic support for and knowledge about care.
This study contributes to the understanding of two overarching themes: structural violence and the value of women, as well as how these themes influence poor outcomes for women with breast cancer in rural Bangladesh. Suggestions for future studies and short and long-term interventions to address study findings are offered.]]>autSteiness, Heather Lynn StorythsHruschka, Daniel JdgcWutich, AmberdgcGinsburg, OphirapblArizona State UniversityengVitaPartial requirement for: Ph.D., Arizona State University, 2016Includes bibliographical references (pages 179-194)Field of study: Anthropologyby Heather Lynn Story Steinesshttps://hdl.handle.net/2286/R.I.3854900Doctoral DissertationAcademic theses: illustrations (some color), color maps)114647884781630032421154487adminIn CopyrightAll Rights Reserved2016public healthWomen's StudiesBangladeshbarriers to careBreast CancerBreast--Cancer--Patients--Bangladesh.BreastWomen--Bangladesh--Social conditions.Women--Abuse of--Bangladesh.Women--Health and hygiene--Bangladesh.Women