Assessment of the Level of Knowledge Regarding Breast Cancer among the Female Students of Basic B.Sc. in Nursing at Square College of Nursing, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Abstract

Health care system in Bangladesh has been achieved changed and improved status now. But there is still a field where we have to work a lot and that is the slow progress in improving health care system in Bangladesh. Specially, it is very important to increase knowledge and awareness and knowledge about breast cancer among young generation, however all ages people. Breast cancer is the highest public detected cancer among female population in the majority of countries worldwide. There are many risk factors that may increase the chances of developing breast cancer, these include - age, sex, family history of breast cancer, drug abuse, obesity, hormone replacement therapy. We collected some information about breast cancer from the SQUARE College of Nursing, among the female students about age of (19-23) years. The aim of this study was to find out the knowledge among the female students at the SQUARE College of Nursing in Dhaka city. This study adopted a descriptive type of cross-sectional study design. This study used questionnaire as data collection instruments. This study has been carried out for assessing the knowledge regarding about breast cancer among the female students using simple random sampling technique in face to face. The collected data was checked complied in various tables, charts, and analyzed by using SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Science) program. The mean age of the female respondents was 21 years, most of them were Muslims by religion. Educational qualification of female respondents was undergraduate B.Sc. in nursing students. Most (90%) respondents’ mother were housewife and most (35%) respondents’ father were business man. In this study 25% respondent's had excellent knowledge, 6.7% respondents had very good knowledge, 13.3% respondent's had good knowledge, 55% respondents had below average knowledge about breast cancer. On the other hand, breast cancer early detection purpose and the presence of family history of breast cancer were considered facilitators to regular practice BSE. A statistically significant relationship existed between knowledge about the steps of applying the BSE and regular practicing. A training program should be implemented to increase the level of awareness about BC and practicing BSE.