Knowledge and practice of breast self-examination among female traders in Ibadan, Nigeria

Abstract

SUMMARY Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide and it can be detected at an early stage through breast self-examination (BSE). This study was carried out to assess knowledge and practice of breast selfexamination among female traders in a welldefined market. A descriptive cross-sectional survey was carried out among a total sample of 281 women in Sango market, Ibadan in, 2003. Female traders were interviewed using interviewer administered questionnaires to obtain information on their sociodemographic characteristics, items traded, knowledge and practice of breast self-examination. The mean age of the respondents was 37.3±12.8 years (range was 16- 80 years), 142 (50.5%) were aged between30 and 49 years. Two hundred and seven (73.7 %) were married. One hundred and four (37.0%) had secondary education and 68 (24.2%) had no formal education. Only 89(37.1%) of the traders were aware of breast self-examination, 51(18.1%) of the traders had ever checked their breast. The level of awareness of breast self examination was highest among those aged 5059 years (p = 0.067). Awareness of breast selfexamination was found to be related to educational attainment. Women who had tertiary education were more knowledgeable about breast self examination (p = 0.045).The level of knowledge and practice of breast self-examination among female traders in Nigeria is unacceptably low. Efforts should be made to increase level of knowledge and practice of breast self-examination through health education programmes.