Communication Channels of Breast Cancer Screening Awareness Campaigns Among Women Presenting for Mammography in Ghana

Abstract

ObjectiveThe channels and content of communication play an integral role in creating breast cancer screening awareness. Although breast cancer screening awareness campaigns are increasing in Ghana, no study has been conducted to investigate the communication channels used by these campaigns. This study aimed to identify the most effective source of breast cancer screening awareness information among women presenting for mammography in Ghana. MethodsEthical approval was sought before data collection. A cross-sectional quantitative approach was adopted for the study and involved 192 women who visited two mammography centers in October 2020 for mammography screening. A self-administered closed-ended questionnaire was used for data collection. Descriptive and inferential statistics were carried out using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 26. ResultsA total of 192 responses were obtained. Of them, 72 (37.5%) participants had diploma/HND/degree education, with 105 (54.7%) of them being traders or nonprofessionals. All participants had heard of mammography screening and examination before this study. Mass media was the most common source of information on mammography screening (86 [44.8%]), of which radio was the highest subcategory (34 [39.5%]). Moreover, women presenting for mammography in Ghana demonstrated a high level of knowledge of breast cancer screening. DiscussionMass media is the most common source of information on breast cancer screening awareness in Ghana and has the potential to positively impact sensitization programs by reaching out to more women. There is a need to engage the Ghanaian population using mass media and health facilities to maximize the impact of breast cancer screening awareness campaigns.