Analysis of factors relating to practice of breast self-examination (BSE) among women in Indonesia

Abstract

Background: Cancer is a global health problem, the mortality rate of breast cancer especially due to not being detected until an advanced stage, because of reluctance for undergoing early detection of breast cancer. Diagnosis of breast cancer at an early stage affords good opportunity for long-term survival. Effort has been made to decrease the number of deaths from breast cancer and the aim of this research for understanding factors related to the practice of breast self-examination (BSE). Method: This study was cross-sectional study and respondents in research were women work at Martapura Public Health Centre, with number of respondents being 168. Cluster sampling was used and the independent variables were age, job, education, experience, awareness of breast cancer, acquaintances ever having suffered from breast cancer, knowledge and BSE attitude, whereas the variable dependent in the research is BSE practice. Data were collected using questionnaire to obtain data on demographic, knowledge, attitude and practice. Results: Statistical results of the tests showed no significant relationship between age, job, education, experience, awareness of breast cancer, acquaintances ever having suffered from breast cancer and BSE practice; however, there was significant relationship between knowledge (p = 0.047), attitude of BSE (p = 0.004) and BSE practice. Conclusion: Factors that have a relationship with the BSE practice in women are knowledge and attitude toward BSE. Increased knowledge and attitudes are expected to increase one�s desire to do beneficial things such as practising BSE on time, in the right direction and in the right position. © 2018, Indian Journal of Public Health Research and Development. All rights reserved.