Knowledge, Attitudes and Behaviour of Women Working in Government Hospitals Regarding Breast Self Examination

Abstract

Background: Breast self examination (BSE), performed regularly every month, is one of the most important methods in the early diagnosis of breast cancer. This study was performed with the aim of establishing the knowledge, attitudes, and behavior of women working in government hospitals within the province of Samsun regarding BSE. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between January-March 2012, on a total of 550 women (500 health personnel, and 50 general administration services (GAS) workers) from 7 government hospitals and the Cancer Early Diagnosis, Screening, and Education Centre (CEDSEC). Percentages were used for the descriptive statistics, and the chi-square test for the evaluation of statistical importance. Values of p<0.05 were accepted as significant. Results: The mean age of the participants was 36.2± 15.3, and 42.5% were in the 30-39 year old age group, 78.0% being married. Seventy-eight point four percent (78.4%) of the health personnel and 76.0% of the GAS workers performed BSE. However, the rates of performing BSE regularly every month were only 25.6% and 5.0%. Within the health personnel, 1.4% stated that they did not perform BSE because they found it unnecessary as they had no history of breast cancer in their family, 3.6% did not do so due to fear and stress, 13.2% because they forgot, and 14.6% because they had no complaints. Some 22.2% of the health personnel and 52.0% of the GAS workers had undergone mammographic evaluation, the difference being significant (p<0.05), 84.1% of the health personnel and 61.9% of the GAS workers knowing symptoms of breast cancer. Conclusions: Women in society should be brought to a certain level of awareness and knowledge regarding BSE. It is of the utmost importance that health personnel, who carry the responsibility for counseling and enlightening society, should interiorize the necessary knowledge, attitudes and behavior.

Knowledge of Breast Cancer and Breast Self-Examination Practice among Iranian Women in Hamedan, Iran

“…Study conducted among 550 women in Turkey, showed that less than half of the samples practiced BSE but only 16% reported that they performed BSE every month (Yurdakos and Gulhan, 2013). Similar results were found among Malaysian female, which showed only 36.7% conducting BSE practice.…”

“…In a recent research, young Malaysian female were noted not know how to perform a BSE (Akhtari-Zavare et al, 2011). Studies have shown sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge on breast cancer are associated with BSE practice (Giridhara et al, 2011;Yurdakos and Gulhan, 2013).…”

Predictors Affecting Breast Self-Examination Practice among Turkish Women

“…A recent Turkish study about BSE awareness and practice showed only 40.9% of the women in the previous 12 months (Dundar et al, 2006). A study conducted in Turkey presented a high BSE practice prevalence as 78.4% in health personnel and 76.0% in the GAS workers (Yurdakos et al, 2013).…”

Effectiveness of an Educational Intervention among Public Health Midwives on Breast Cancer Early Detection in the District of Gampaha, Sri Lanka

“…Practices of breast cancer early detection were found to be substandard in the Asia Pacific region (Yurdakos et al, 2013;Shiryazdi et al, 2014). A cross-sectional study conducted in 2012, on 500 health personnel, and 50 general administration services workers from seven government hospitals and the Cancer Early Diagnosis, Screening, and Education Centre within the province of Samsun, Thailand showed that only 25.6% and 5.0% of them were performing BSE regularly every month (Yurdakos et al, 2013).…”

“…A cross-sectional study conducted in 2012, on 500 health personnel, and 50 general administration services workers from seven government hospitals and the Cancer Early Diagnosis, Screening, and Education Centre within the province of Samsun, Thailand showed that only 25.6% and 5.0% of them were performing BSE regularly every month (Yurdakos et al, 2013). Another cross-sectional study performed among 441 female health care workers in three different health centers in Yazd, Iran highlighted that only 41.9% of the workers had performed BSE in the past, of which only 14.9% of them did it regularly.…”