Abstract
BackgroundDespite the higher mortality rate of breast cancer in low and middle-income countries, the practice of early detection methods is low and the majority of the patients presenting at an advanced stage of the disease need palliative care with low survival rates. Although healthcare providers are the key for practicing early detection methods of breast cancer for themselves and their clients, little is known about their knowledge and practice of early detection methods of breast cancer in Northcentral Ethiopia.MethodsAn institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among female healthcare providers at Debre Tabor Comprehensive Specialised Hospital. Data were collected using a structured self-administered questionnaire. The data were analysed using SPSS version 23. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the socio-demographic information of participants. Binary and multivariable logistic regression with adjusted odds ratio (AOR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) was used to identify factors associated with the outcome variable. Statistical significance was declared at p < 0.05.ResultThe mean (±SD) age of the participants was 31.4 (±7.8) years. About 106 (79.7%) participants had good knowledge about breast cancer early detection methods and only 56 (42.1%) of them practiced breast self-examination regularly. Work experience of >2 years (AOR = 3.2; 95% CI: 1.72, 5.29), history of any breast problem (AOR = 1.4; 95% CI: 1.02, 2.37), family history of breast cancer (AOR = 4.0; 95% CI: 2.58, 15.84), having good knowledge (AOR = 2.9; 95% CI: 1.3, 6.52) and history of comorbidities (AOR = 1.09; 95% CI: 1.09, 3.59) were the factors associated with the practice of breast self-examination.ConclusionOur study found that the knowledge and practice of breast cancer early detection methods was low in the study setting. Only less than half of female healthcare providers practiced regular breast self-examination, which suggests the need to provide training for healthcare providers to fill the gap and to promote early detection of breast cancer cases.
Highlights
Despite the higher mortality rate of breast cancer in low and middle-income countries, the practice of early detection methods is low and the majority of the patients presenting at an advanced stage of the disease need palliative care with low survival rates
Our study found that the knowledge and practice of breast cancer early detection methods was low in the study setting
In a multivariable logistic regression analysis, healthcare providers who have more than 2 years of work experience, good knowledge about breast cancer, early detection methods, family history of breast cancer, history of any breast disease and a history of comorbidities were significantly associated with the practice of breast self-examination
Summary
Despite the higher mortality rate of breast cancer in low and middle-income countries, the practice of early detection methods is low and the majority of the patients presenting at an advanced stage of the disease need palliative care with low survival rates. Breast cancer is the most common malignant tumour which can be characterised by distinct clinical, pathologic and molecular characteristics [1, 2]. It is a growing public health concern globally as the leading cause of cancer with high mortality rates in low and middle-income countries [3]. Almost 50% of breast cancer cases and 58% of deaths occur in low and middle-income countries (LMICs) [4]. The incidence of new breast cancer cases in Ethiopia is increasing. It is the commonest cancer constituting 33% of the cancers in women and 23% of all cancers in the county [5, 6]
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