PREDICTORS OF CLINICAL BREAST EXAMINATION AND MAMMOGRAPHY SCREENING UPTAKE AMONG WOMEN AGED 20-79 YEARS IN MALE’ REGION, MALDIVES

Abstract

Breast cancer is the most prevalent form of cancer among women. Breast cancer is identified as the second-highest cancer in the Maldives and the most common cancer among females. Early detection and diagnosis of breast cancer facilitate effective treatment and cure. The main objective of the study is to identify the factors that serve as potential predictors for breast cancer screening uptake (CBE and Mammography) among women in the Male’ region. The cross-sectional study was conducted among 600 women aged 20-79 years in the Male’ region. Stratified random sampling was used to select the study sample. Data was collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. About 41.40% and 34.40% of the respondents reported ever having a CBE and a mammogram done respectively. Significant predictors for CBE uptake were age [OR=1.045, 95% CI(1.019-1.072)], ever being diagnosed for any breast disease [OR=12.405, 95% CI(4.099-37.541)], having regular medical check-up [OR=2.156, 95% CI(1.301-3.573)], knowledge on early detection of BC [OR=1.108, 95% CI(1.030-1.193)], perceptions on the susceptibility to BC [OR=1.100, 95% CI(1.022-1.184)], perceptions on the benefits of CBE [OR=1.163, 95% CI(1.036-1.306)], perceptions on barriers towards CBE [OR=0.926, 95% CI(0.866-0.991)], self-efficacy [OR=0.960, 95% CI(0.925-0.996)] and ever performed BSE [OR=2.447, 95% CI(1.423-4.209)]. Significant predictors for mammography screening uptake were having regular medical check-up [OR=2.896, 95% CI(1.289-6.503)], benefits of mammography screening [OR=1.131, 95% CI(1.003-1.277)], and ever done CBE [OR=19.135, 95% CI(7.461-49.077)]. Breast cancer screening uptake rates among Maldivian women are found to be low. Focused and well-planned multiple strategies are needed to enhance the health-promoting and preventive behaviours among Maldivian women for better management of breast cancer burden in the country.