KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE OF BREAST CANCER SCREENING AMONG HEALTH SCIENCE STUDENTS IN SHAHREKORD CITY, IRAN

Abstract

The aim of this study is to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices of breast cancer among health science students in Shahrekord city, Iran. A cross- sectional study was conducted in 2017-2018 academic year among 334 health science students in Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences. Data was collected using self-administered structured questionnaire. The total score for knowledge was 18. Any respondent who had more than 9 was considered as having good knowledge and below 9 as having poor knowledge. The total score for attitude was 7. Any score more than 4 was considered as good attitude and score less than 4 was considered as bad attitude. The mean age of the respondents was 21.21± 1.19 years. Most of the respondents aged 18 to 21 years. The knowledge level was significantly different by age group (P=0.002), department (P=0.000) and those who attended training course (P=0.000). Those who perform BSE (Breast Self-Examination) had higher knowledge score about breast cancer than those who do not perform BSE (P=0.000). The participants’ attitude was not significantly different by age group, department, family history of cancer and attending of training courses (p > 0.05). The breast self-examination practice was significantly different by age group (P=0.002), department (P=0.000) and those who attended training course (P=0.000). About half of the respondents had good knowledge on breast cancer. However, more than half of the participants had negative attitude towards breast cancer. For example, less than half of the respondents performed BSE and none of the respondents has performed CBE (Clinical Breast Examination) or mammogram before.