92P Knowledge, attitude and prevention practice about breast cancer among female nursing students in University of Nursing (Yangon), Myanmar

Abstract

Background Breastcancerisoneofthemostdreadedconditionsamongwomenboth in developed and developing countries and recent global cancer statistics indicate that itsincidenceisrisingatafasterrateinpopulationsofdevelopingcountries.Thisstudyis conducted to assess the knowledge, attitude and prevention practice regarding breast cancer among female nursing students as they will be front runners to educate and disseminate health knowledge among public in their future professional life which may leadto early detection and effective treatment ofbreastcancer. Methods:Across-sectionaldescriptivequestionnairestudywasconductedonatotalof 248femalenursingstudents(122firstyearstudentsand126fourthyearstudents)in UniversityofNursing(Yangon), Myanmar. Results:Meanageofstudentswas18.3361.7year(Range:16-22years)andmajority wasBamar(80%).Amongparticipants,17%hadfamilyhistoryofmalignancyand3% hadpasthistoryofbreastlumps.Regardingknowledge,60%studentsknewthatbreast cancer can occuronly in women and ageing(34%), obesity(36%), nulliparous (57%) and latebearingoffirstchild(>30yearsold)(50%)wereknownasriskfactors.Aboutmore than50%ofsubjectsknewthesymptomsofbreastcancerand48%,37%and49% respectively wereawareofcorrecttiming, frequency andmethodofbreastself examination. However, onlyabout30% ofstudentshadthecorrectknowledge concerningwithclinicalbreastexaminationandonly11%knewtheageat mammogramshouldbestarted.Although60%ofstudiedsubjectshadpositiveattitude towardstheearlydetectionofbreastcancer,47%practicedbreastselfexamination (BSE).OfthosewhopracticedBSE,onlyminorityperformedregularly(38%)andwith correct frequency (50%). Conclusions These female nursing students who are expected to act as role models and educatethepublichadlimitedlevelofknowledgeaboutbreastcancerandpracticeof breast cancer screening. This study highlighted that there is still need for promoting nursing education programme about breast cancer and its screening practice among nursing students in Myanmar. Legal entity responsible for the study Bahosi Hospital, Yangon, Myanmar Funding N/A Disclosure All authors have declared no conflicts ofinterest.