Breast Cancer Screening Awareness and Practices Among Women Attending Primary Health Care Centers in the Ghail Bawazir District of Yemen

Abstract

IntroductionWomen with from breast cancer often present to health care facilities with an advanced stage of disease. This study assessed the breast cancer screening awareness and practices among women presenting to primary health care centers in the Ghail-Bawazir district of Yemen. Material and MethodsA cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out from November 1, 2016 through January 31, 2017. A total of 317 women who attended primary health care centers in the Ghail-Bawazir district during the study period were randomly selected for inclusion in the study. Data analysis was carried out using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 20. Descriptive statistics and χ2 analysis were used to present the frequency distributions and associations that existed in the data. The data was displayed in tables and graphs. ResultsVery limited information on breast cancer was obtained from health care providers (14%). Around one-half of the respondents had satisfactory levels of breast cancer knowledge and awareness, whereas 30.3% were practicing self-breast examination, and only 1.6% had ever been exposed to a mammogram test. A significant association between marital status, level of education, working status, and level of knowledge and breast screening practice was reported (P = .01). By regression analysis, age and limited level of knowledge on self-breast examination were found determinant (P < .015) in factors associated with the use of clinical breast examination. ConclusionThe study reveals the satisfactory knowledge of women about breast cancer along with inadequate awareness of breast cancer screening and screening practices.