Abstract
ObjectiveBreast cancer is the leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide. The incidence of breast has been increasing in most regions of the world. Regular breast self-examination is one of the most cost-effective methods for early detection of breast cancer in asymptomatic women. Despite this fact, breast self-examination practice remains low in Ethiopia. Therefore, the aim of this study is to assess breast self-examination practice and associated factors among women aged 20–70 years attending public health institutions of Adwa town, North Ethiopia.ResultsFrom the total study participants, only 26 (6.5%) of them had ever practice breast self-examination, and only 25 (6.25%) of them practice breast self-examination regularly. Being a government employee (AOR = 0.22, 95% CI = 0.071–0.683), having good perceived confidence to do breast self-examination (AOR = 5.32, 95% CI = 1.89–14.95) and having perceived good susceptibility to develop breast cancer (AOR = 3.79, 95% CI = 1.74–9.74) were the factors significantly associated with breast self-examination. Breast self-examination practice among the study participants was low. Therefore, informing every woman is susceptible to breast cancer, improving the confidence of women is recommended to increase breast self-examination practice.
Highlights
Breast cancer is a type of malignant tumor which starts in the cells of the breast and commonly occurs in women than men [1]
Being a government employee (AOR = 0.22, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.071–0.683), having good perceived confidence to do breast self-examination (AOR = 5.32, 95% CI = 1.89–14.95) and having perceived good susceptibility to develop breast cancer (AOR = 3.79, 95% CI = 1.74–9.74) were the factors significantly associated with breast self-examination
Informing every woman is susceptible to breast cancer, improving the confidence of women is recommended to increase breast self-examination practice
Summary
Socio‐demographic characteristics of the study participants Out of the expected 404 study participants, 400 of them give a complete response, with the response rate of 99%. 212 (53%), of the respondents perceive that performing regular BSE is beneficial to find a lump in the breast, that might become cancerous in the future. Breast self‐examination practice and factors associated with breast self‐examination practice About one-fourth, 26 (6.5%) with 95% CI (4.3–9.0%), of the study participants, had ever practiced BSE, and only 25 (6.25%) with 95% CI (4–8.6%), of the respondents practiced BSE regularly (Table 2). Women who had a good perceived confidence to do breast self-examination were 5.32 times more likely to practice breast self-examination as compared to women who had low perceived confidence to do BSE, [AOR = 5.32; 95% CI (1.89–14.95)]. Women who had good perceived susceptibility to develop breast cancer were 3.79 more likely to practice BSE as compared to women who had low perceived susceptibility [AOR = 3.79; 95% CI (1.74–9.74)] (Table 3)
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