Malaysian nurses’ knowledge and attitudes regarding BRCA genetic testing

Abstract

Background: Breast cancer genetic (BRCA) testing for cancer susceptibility is an emerging technology in medicine. 
 Objective: This study assessed the knowledge and attitude of nurses regarding BRCA genetic testing in a tertiary teaching hospital in Malaysia.
 Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 150 nurses using a simple random sampling technique in a tertiary teaching hospital in northeast peninsular Malaysia. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire consisting of socio-demographic data, assessing nurses’ knowledge and attitude regarding BRCA genetic testing. Fisher exact test analysis was used to determine the association between socio-demographic characteristics with knowledge and attitude level. In addition, the overall knowledge and attitude were analysed using the sum score of each outcome based on Bloom’s cut-off point.
 Results: Of the 150 nurses, 66.7% had high knowledge level about BRCA genetic testing, and 58% were positive towards genetic testing. The participants’ mean age was 28.9 years (SD = 6.70). Years of working experience (p = 0.014) significantly influenced knowledge level on BRCA genetic testing, whereas speciality working experience (p <0.001) significantly influenced BRCA genetic testing attitudes.
 Conclusions: The results show that most nurses have adequate knowledge of BRCA genetic testing. However, their attitude could be termed negative. Therefore, targeted education programs on BRCA genetic testing and risk are needed to improve the knowledge and attitude of nurses and, ultimately, can educate the women and increase health-seeking behaviour among eligible women.

Risk-Stratified Breast Cancer Screening in Malaysia: Challenges and Opportunities

“…Despite the lack of information, there appeared to be a moderate level of interest among women to take a genetic test, ranging from 41.7% (age 40 to 60 years) [ 32 ] to 67.9% (age 19 to 26 years ) [ 31 ]. Regarding healthcare professionals, nurses reported positive attitudes about testing and were recorded as having adequate knowledge about BRCA genetic testing in Malaysia [ 33 ]. Indeed, willingness to pay for genetic testing in the general population was reported to be a median of USD 48.31 (Malaysian Ringgit, MYR 200.00), which included women who indicated that they would be willing to share the cost with a health insurance company [ 32 ].…”