Awareness, Attitudes and Practices of women related to breast cancer in Niamey and Zinder

Abstract

Background: In Niger, breast cancer is the first cancer related morbidity and mortality within the female population. While Breast cancer awareness can contribute to early diagnosis and disease mortality reduction, Niger women’s knowledge of breast cancer is not well documented. The objective of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices of women related to breast cancer and have a look on the factors associated this knowledge. Methods: The study was conducted thought a cross sectional survey in women population in Zinder and Niamey regions. A random sampling was used to select women in households within health districts. We defined a breast cancer knowledge score and used a generalized linear model to assess factors associated with breast cancer knowledge. Results: A total of 675 women were included in the survey. Average age of women was 39.2 years (38.2-40.2) and 48.4% (44.7-52.2) of them were not educated. Overall women’s knowledge of breast cancer is relatively low, only 41.2% (37.5-45.0) were aware of breast cancer. An area where women demonstrated an awareness was breast cancer symptoms knowledge with 65.0% (61.3-68.7). Insufficient level of knowledge was observed on knowledge of risk and protection factors with only 27.4 % (24.0-31.0) level of awareness and breast cancer good practice with 16.9% (14.2-19.7). Younger age OR=0.98 (0.96-0.99) practicing clinical breast examination OR=2.25 (1.31–3.16), breastfeeding 3.34 (2.12-5.26), not having a history of participation to breast cancer 0.53 (0.34-0.82) and living in rural and peri-urban areas 0.34 (0.20–0.44) were factors related to awareness of breast cancer. Conclusion: Niger women had overall low level of breast cancer awareness. While they were not acquainted with breast self-examination and clinical breast examination, their knowledge of breast cancer symptoms was acceptable. Clinical breast examination, area of residence, age, breastfeeding and history of participation to breast cancer screening were found to be associated with breast cancer knowledge. Awareness programs can promote clinical breast examination as mammography is not common and target older women. Focus should be given to awareness of breast cancer risk factors and promoting early detection procedures.