Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Women in Reproductive age (15 - 49 years) towards Breast Cancer

Abstract

Abstract Background: Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women and accounts for more than 30% of all cancers in women in Sudan and is estimated as 17.2% of all types of cancers in 2007 and 17.9% in 2008. In addition the mortality rate is high and most of patients are detected at late stages of the disease due to the lack of awareness and absence of screening programs. Objectives: The overall objective was to study the level of knowledge, attitude and practices of women in reproductive age (l5- 49 years) towards breast cancer in order to generate information necessary for formulation of evidence-based prevention program. Material and methods: A community-based descriptive cross sectional study conducted from April 2012 to April 2013 at Muraba l5. Abused locality. Omdurman State. The estimated sample size mounted to three hundred and fifty three participants. By simple. random sample clusters were selected and all elements in the cluster were used (single-stage cluster sampling). A standardized administered questionnaire was developed, pre-tested and used to generate information on personal-demographic characteristics, general knowledge, attitude and practice about breast cancer and breast self -examination. A modified scale (V. poor- V. good) and five point Likert type scale was used. In addition four questions were discussed in four focus groups discussion. Each group consists often participants. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 16. Results: The mean age of the respondents was 32.1487 (SD =l0.46) years. The results showed that the vast majority (91.8%) of participants had heard about breast cancer from TV source. In addition most (81.3%) of interviewed women their knowledge about risk factors and signs and symptoms of breast cancer were poor. 86.1% of the interviewed women did not know how to perform BSE. 56.3% were worried, anxious and afiaid of being diagnosed with cancer. Only 18.4% of the interviewed women stated that they practiced BSE. Moreover, (45.2%) of them had poor knowledge about BSE and its technique which was statistically significant with the level of education (p- value= 0.047) and family history (p-value = 0.018). Conclusion: Most of the interviewed women had heard about breast cancer from TV. Source and their knowledge about risk factors, signs, abnormal signs, knowledge and technique of BSE were poor. In addition they had negative attitude towards treatment and BSE.