BREAST SELF-EXAMINATION: ATTITUDE, KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICE AMONG WOMEN IN IFO, OGUN STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Breast Cancer is the most common female malignancy reported world-wide. In the past few years, the number of women developing breast cancer in Nigeria has risen dramatically. Despite the increasing incidence of the disease, many patients tend to report at the health facilities at an advanced stage of the disease that often result in poor prognosis. Women have an important role to play in the early detection, prompt report of signs at the hospital and management of breast cancer. A good understanding of breast cancer among women would raise the possibility of prevention and control of the disease. This study assessed the knowledge, beliefs, attitude and preventive health care practices of breast cancer among women in Ifo, a sub-urban town in Ogun State. The study provides baseline data for planning appropriate interventions. The study is descriptive in nature. The study population consisted of women who are aged fifteen years and above. Five hundred of such women were selected through stratified sampling technique. The instrument for data collection was a questionnaire, which was pre-tested at Pakoto Village near Ifo town, before it was administered by trained Interviewers. A large majority 176 (35.2%) of the women fell within the age range of (35-39 years). There were more Christians 286 (57.2%) than Moslems 213 (42.6%). 361 (72.2%) were married with mean parity of 3.6. Although 421 (84.2%) of respondents heard about breast cancer, their knowledge about disease causation is low. A 37- point breast cancer knowledge score yielding 1-111 point score was constructed. Overall, a few 39 (7.8%) had good knowledge, more than half 322 (64.4%) had fair knowledge while 139 (27.8%) had poor knowledge score, 400 (80%) attributed the cause of breast cancer to the use of second hand brassieres, putting money in brassieres 321 (64.2%), spiritual attacks 301 (60.2%). Majority 401 (80%) perceived themselves susceptible to breast cancer. Among respondents, a significant association was found between breast cancer knowledge and perceived susceptibility to the disease (P<0.05). 360 (72%) believed that self-breast examination (SBE) skills are easy to learn, and an equal number felt that (SBE) could be used to detect lump. Slightly more than a quarter 137 (26.8%) however, had ever performed (SBE), of this number only 2 (1.4%) performed (SBE) on monthly basis. Three respondents (2.2%) reported ever detecting any abnormality in the breast. An association was found between (SBE) practices of women and their educational attainment (P<0.05). When asked about the person they will consult first in the event of detecting abnormality in the breast, the majority mentioned husbands 373 (74.6%), others said doctors 63(12.6%) and mothers 25 (5%). In conclusion, the women surveyed had low level of knowledge about breast cancer. Only a few of them practiced (SBE). Appropriate interventions including education, group counselling should be targeted at women and husbands who appear to play important roles concerning care seeking and management of breast cancer.