Does being a Health Worker Have an Effect on Breast Cancer Awareness?

Abstract

The purpose of this study to measure the breast cancer knowledge levels of women health workers and to investigate the factors that determine the beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors against screening methods. MATERIAL AND METHODS:This study was conducted on 850 volunteer participant women over 21 years old, health educated, uneducated, and other members of the community. Ethical committee approval and informed consent form were obtained. Sociodemographic data form, Champion Health Belief Model for Breast Cancer, The Comprehensive Breast Cancer Knowledge Test were used to compare the groups. Statistical analyses were performed using the IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 21.0 RESULTS: There was no difference in the frequency of breast selfexamination and clinical breast examination between the groups (p>0.05). There were statistically significant differences in age, knowledge level, and education level between the groups (p<0.05). There was a statistically significant difference between the education level of the health workers and community members (p=0.029). The median scores for each subscale of the Champion Health Belief Model for Breast Cancer were not statistically different between the groups. Self-efficacy was found the only predictive factor on the breast self-examination practice (p=0.00, OR:1.188). The most predictive factor was education level on the breast cancer knowledge level (p=0.00, r=0.315). Only 36.5% of the participants had a high knowledge level. CONCLUSION:The breast cancer knowledge level, the behavior of breast self-examination and clinical breast examination are not more different in health workers than the other members of the society.