Knowledge, attitude and practice regarding breast cancer and breast self-examination among a sample of the educated population in Iraq

Abstract

This cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study evaluated the knowledge, attitude and practice towards breast cancer and breast self-examination (BSE) among 387 (302 females and 85 males) educated Iraqis affiliated to 2 Iraqi universities. The participants were categorized into 3 occupations: student (71.3%), teaching staff (10.3%) and administrative staff (18.3%). About half of the participants had a low knowledge score (< 50%); only 14.3% were graded as "Good" and above. Almost 75% of the participants believed that the best way to control breast cancer was through early detection and other possible preventive measures. Most participants (90.9%) had heard of BSE, the main source of information being television. However, only 48.3% practised BSE; the most common reason for not doing so was lack of knowledge of how to perform the technique correctly. Almost 84% of the female participants were willing to instruct others in the technique of BSE. Unit, Baghdad Medical College, Baghdad, Iraq (Correspondence to N.A.S. Alwan: nadalwan@yahoo.com). Les résultats de près de la moitié des participants étaient faibles en termes de connaissances (< 50 %) : seuls 14,3 % ont obtenu des résultats « satisfaisants » ou supérieurs. Près de 75 % des participants pensaient que la meilleure méthode pour lutter contre le cancer du sein était une détection précoce et l'adoption d'autres mesures préventives. La majorité des participants (90,9 %) avaient entendu parler de l'autoexamen des seins, la télévision étant leur principale source d'information. Toutefois, seules 48,3 % des femmes pratiquaient l'auto-examen des seins ; la raison invoquée le plus fréquemment était l'absence de connaissances permettant d'utiliser la technique correctement. Près de 84 % des participantes étaient volontaires pour former les autres à la technique de l'auto-examen des seins. Breast Cancer Research

The Stage of Breast Cancer at the Time of Diagnosis: Correlation with the Clinicopathological Findings among Iraqi Patients

“…Changes in the distribution patterns of the stage at diagnosis are important indicators of the success of the awareness campaigns and the effectiveness of any screening program. Earlier studies highlighted the gaps in the knowledge, attitudes and practices among Iraqi women regarding breast cancer [20][21][22][23][24]; and consequently paved the way towards promoting the adoption of a comprehensive national breast cancer control strategy based upon public education campaigns, and early detection and treatment protocol guidelines [6,[10][11][12]25].…”

Women’s attitude towards breast cancer in Baghdad city, Iraq

“…5 In our study, be scared 71.5%, see a doctor 88.2%, go to prayer 80.5%, traditional medicine 44.3%, agree to do mastectomy 54.7%, time to see doctor (57.5%) within 1 week when Compared to other study, be scare 47.5%, see a doctor 88.2%, go to prayer 27.9%, traditional medicine 1%, agree to do mastectomy 89.7%, time to see doctor (92.2%) within 1 month. 7 Also, other study done in Iran, found that 94.7% will consult a doctor, 2.4% will do nothing.…”

“…Out of the 16.4% who were not interested in teaching BSE, lacking time was the main reason particularly among students 45.5%. 5 Interest in doing BSE has been reported in other regional studies such as in United Arab Emirates where 90% of nurses had a positive attitude to provide knowledge on the risk factors of breast cancer and about 83% reported that they had taught BSE to others. 6 A study done among schoolteachers in Lagos, Nigeria showed that participants had positive attitude towards breast cancer as 84% said they will see a doctor if they discover a breast lump, followed by 62% will go to prayer house and 50% will be scared.…”

Promoting Weight Management and The Adoption of Healthier Lifestyle Habits in The Workplace: A Case Study of Oando Marketing PLC

“…A study in Saudi Arabia in 2009to assess knowledge about breast cancer among female students showed limited knowledge about breast cancer among high school and college female students, however, the students were very enthusiastic to learn about breast cancer and itsprevention 15 . Iraq study in 2012 found that, about half of the participants had a low knowledge score (< 50%); only 14.3% were graded as "Good" and above 16 . In Gaza, efforts to improve early detection of breast cancer should also be directed at learning and understanding the barriers to breast cancer screening, empowering women to seek health care, and providing infrastructure for appropriate screening, diagnosis and treatment 17 .…”