Proportion of Breast Self Examination Practice and its Associated Factors among Female Health Professionals in Government Medical College Hospital , Thiruvananthapuram.

Abstract

Breast cancer is a leading cause of death among females across the globe. Breast self- examination is considered as a cornerstone testing method for breast cancer screening and early detection. Breast Self Examination is one of the simple, quick and cost free procedures for early detection of breast cancer among women. The Present study was intended to estimate the proportion of Breasts self examination practice and its associated factors among female health professionals in Government Medical College Hospital, Thiruvananthapuram. The research design adopted for this study was descriptive cross sectional design. The sample consists of 330 female health professionals. Sample fulfilling the eligibility criteria were selected through simple random sampling method and data were collected by giving questionnaire. The collected data was analyzed by using SPSS version 23 and the results were expressed in descriptive and inferential statistics. The collected data showed that about 68% of the participants were doing breast self examination practice and there was a significant association between breast self examination practice and associated factors such as age, basic qualification, highest qualification, profession, years of experience, screening for breast cancer and knowledge and attitude regarding breast self examination practice.The study concluded that adressing all these factors can improve breast self examination practice among female health professionals.