Parents' perspective on sociocultural beliefs and practices contributing to delayed health seeking by adolescents with cryptorchidism presenting at a selected in Tshwane

Abstract

Introduction

Cryptorchidism is one of the most common congenital anomalies found in boys and of great concern in developing countries. In developed countries cryptorchidism is diagnosed very early in childhood and corrected through surgical management called orchidopexy. Developing countries are faced with economic issues, illiteracy, cultural beliefs and lack of specialised skill and equipment therefore patients present late for correction. A study done in South Africa mentioned that it is not unusual for patients with undescended testes to present late in adolescence and in adulthood stage. Due to the cultural beliefs, illiteracy, economic issues and lack of specialised skill in developing countries, there is still a considerable number of adolescents with cryptorchidism who present late for seeking medical assistance in a selected health institution in Tshwane district.

Purpose of the study The purpose of this study was to explore and describe the parents’ perspectives on sociocultural beliefs and practices that contribute to delayed health seeking amongst adolescent boys with cryptorchidism who present at a selected hospital in Tshwane District. Method A qualitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual research design was used, as the researcher was interested in exploring the knowledge gap through seeking perceptions of the affected participants in a natural setting. The study was conducted in one setting in an academic hospital in Gauteng province in the district of Tshwane, South Africa. The study population were parents or guardians of adolescents with cryptorchism between ages 10 years -19 years old from different provinces namely: Mpumalanga and Gauteng. A purposive sampling method was followed to select participants who brought their children for health seeking in the institution. Semi-structured, individual, face to face interviews were conducted. The interviews were audio recorded and the participants were made aware of the recording. Consent and assent were obtained prior to commencement of the data collection. The researcher conducted the interviews and field notes were written during interviews. Data collection continued until data saturation was met. Data collection was followed by the transcription and data analysis. Findings The following three themes emerged during data analysis from this research study; lack of knowledge, socio-cultural beliefs and practices and lack of resources. Furthermore, nine subthemes emerged from the themes. The study found that various socio-cultural factors contributed to delayed health seeking. Conclusion It was evident that sociocultural beliefs and practices and other sociocultural factors played an important role regarding health seeking. The families needed to be educated about the possible complications of cryptorchidism if left untreated in a culturally sensitive manner to prevent delayed health seeking. Furthermore, the parent’s perspective revealed that healthcare practitioners needed to be trained on assessment, diagnosing and referral of children with cryptorchidism. Moreover, the study results revealed that an incorporation of medical awareness about cryptorchidism with traditional healers, can assist in early diagnosis and correction of cryptorchidism.