Ifediora C O, Azuike E C
Griffith University Medical School, Gold Coast, Australia.
Department of Community Medicine, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, University Teaching Hospital, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria.
J Prev Med Hyg. 2018 Dec 15;59(4):E282-E300. doi: 10.15167/2421-4248/jpmh2018.59.4.964. eCollection 2018 Dec.
Breast cancer occurrences in developing countries are gradually matching caucasian levels. Since early detection is linked to reductions in morbidities and mortality, affordable screening techniques like breast self-examination (BSE) becomes imperative in these resource-limited economies. Ascertaining the Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) of breast cancers and BSE among young adult females will help provide baseline information for early and targeted interventions.
A cross sectional survey involving 432 female senior secondary school students in Otuocha Educational Zone of Anambra State, Nigeria.
A total of 321 (74.3%) valid questionnaires were returned. Mean age was 16.79 ± 1.48 years. Even though 84.6% and 55.2% had respectively heard about breast cancer and BSE, and the 'General Knowledge' of breast cancer was high (75.2%), specifics on 'Risk Factors' (41.5%) and 'Symptoms' (46.1%) were poor.Knowledge on correct BSE 'Techniques' was 52.9%, but few know when to commence (43.1%), the right frequency (31.5%), or the right timing (24.6%). A large majority (73.6%) had positive attitudes, but only 6.1% practice it monthly, while 55.3% had never done it at all. No significant predictors of Knowledge and Practice of BSE was identified.
Health campaigns on BSE and breast cancers should provide specific details on techniques, risk factors and symptoms, while emphasizing on the right methods, timing and frequency. The positive attitudes identified raise optimism that health interventions would be effective and can have long term benefits. If possible, BSE and breast cancer teachings should be included in the secondary school academic curricula of resource-limited countries.
发展中国家乳腺癌的发病率正逐渐接近白种人的水平。由于早期检测与发病率和死亡率的降低相关，在这些资源有限的经济体中，像乳房自我检查（BSE）这样经济实惠的筛查技术变得至关重要。确定年轻成年女性对乳腺癌和乳房自我检查的知识、态度和行为（KAP）将有助于为早期和有针对性的干预提供基线信息。
对尼日利亚阿南布拉州奥托查教育区的432名女性高中生进行横断面调查。
共回收321份（74.3%）有效问卷。平均年龄为16.79±1.48岁。尽管分别有84.6%和55.2%的人听说过乳腺癌和乳房自我检查，且对乳腺癌的“一般知识”掌握程度较高（75.2%），但在“风险因素”（41.5%）和“症状”（46.1%）方面的具体了解较差。关于正确乳房自我检查“技术”的知识为52.9%，但很少有人知道何时开始（43.1%）、正确的频率（31.5%）或正确的时间（24.6%）。绝大多数（73.6%）态度积极，但只有6.1%的人每月进行乳房自我检查，而55.3%的人从未进行过。未发现乳房自我检查知识和行为的显著预测因素。
关于乳房自我检查和乳腺癌的健康宣传活动应提供有关技术、风险因素和症状的具体细节，同时强调正确的方法、时间和频率。所确定的积极态度让人乐观地认为健康干预将是有效的，并能带来长期益处。如果可能，乳房自我检查和乳腺癌的教学应纳入资源有限国家的中学学术课程。
