Explore the Performance and Attitude of Newly Registered Nurses Regarding Breast Cancer Screening in Al-Jouf Hospitals, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: Quantitative Study

Abstract

Context: Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer worldwide, but survival rates are still poor in poorer nations. Early diagnosis and screening are key tactics for early detection. Still, the timeframes for screening may not apply to nations like Saudi Arabia, where awareness is low and patients arrive with metastatic breast cancer.
 Aim: To evaluate the performance and attitudes regarding breast cancer screening among newly registered nurses at different hospitals in AlـJouf, Saudi Arabia.  
 Methods:  The study used a cross-sectional design on a convenient sample of 169 newly registered nurses working at Medical-Surgical Departments at Al-Jouf Hospitals in Saudi Arabia. A structured interview questionnaire collects data regarding nurses' performance and attitudes toward breast cancer screening.
 Results: The participants' total knowledge of breast cancer reveals that 62.1% of the nurses had a fair knowledge level. The participants’ attitude shows a negative attitude towards breast cancer screening and self-examination among 76.92% of nurses. On the one hand, the newly registered nurses' performance of breast self-examination reveals that 84.7% answered incorrectly about the correct frequency of breast self-examination, 83.9% answered incorrectly about the best time for breast self-examination, and 82.2% answered they had not taught breast self-examination. On the other hand, 87.7% correctly answered the practice of breast self-examination, and 85.8% correctly identified the benefits of breast self-examination. The study also reveals a statistically significant positive correlation between participants' knowledge and attitude toward breast cancer screening and self-examination (p=0.028). Years of experience (p=0.003) and working hospital (p=0.027) were identified as statistically significantly positively correlated with nurses' attitudes toward breast cancer screening and breast self-examination.
 Conclusion: The study concluded that the highest percentage of the newly registered nurses exhibit fair knowledge and negative attitudes towards breast cancer, breast cancer screening, and breast self-examination. Also, more than three-quarters of the studied nurses answered incorrect questions about the frequency and timing of breast self-examination. The study's result emphasizes the necessity of providing newly registered nurses with further training and education regarding breast cancer screening. It is crucial to raise their understanding of the risk factors, symptoms, and suitable screening techniques for breast cancer, such as mammography, clinical breast examination (CBE), and breast self-examination (BSE). Assisting in the early detection of breast cancer will enable patients to have a better prognosis and survival rate.