Department of Public Health and Informatics, Jahangirnagar University, Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Centre for Advanced Research Excellence in Public Health, Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
PLoS One. 2022 Jun 28;17(6):e0270417. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0270417. eCollection 2022.
Early diagnosis of breast cancer is the best approach towards its control that may result in alleviating related mortality and morbidity. This study aimed to evaluate knowledge about breast cancer and both practices and perceived barriers to breast self-examination among female university students in Bangladesh. A cross-sectional study was carried out with 400 female students of Jahangirnagar University, Bangladesh. Participants were sampled from female dormitories at the university from January to April 2020. Proportionate stratified random sampling was conducted to calculate the study sample from each dormitory. A validated semi-structured self-reported questionnaire was employed to collect data from participants during the survey periods. The questionnaire consisted of demographic variables, items about knowledge about breast cancer, breast self-examination practices and its barriers. We applied descriptive and inferential statistics and data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). Participants were aged between 18-26 years and comprised university students of first year (20%), second year (24%), third year (22%), fourth year (21%) and Master's (14%). 18% of them reported positive family history (mother, aunt, sister/cousin, grandmother) of breast cancer. The overall mean score of total knowledge items was 15 (SD = 3) out of 43, with an overall correct rate of 34%. The mean score of total knowledge items was significantly higher (p<0.001) among Master's students and students with family members who have had breast cancer. Only one in five students (21%) ever practiced breast self-examination. The mean score of practice of breast self-examination was significantly higher (p<0.001) among participants who reported having family member of breast cancer. Total knowledge score about breast cancer and practice of breast self-examination were significantly correlated with each other (r = 0.54; p<0.001). About 33% participants reported 'lack of knowledge' as the main barrier to practicing breast self-examination followed by 'I do not have the symptoms' (22%), and 'shyness/ uncomfortable feelings' (17%). The study revealed low levels of knowledge about breast cancer and low breast self-examination practices. Our findings highlight the need to develop, implement and promote socially, culturally and demographically appropriate educational interventions programs aimed at breast cancer and breast self-examination awareness and practice in Bangladesh.
早期诊断乳腺癌是控制乳腺癌的最佳方法，可降低相关死亡率和发病率。本研究旨在评估孟加拉国女大学生对乳腺癌的知识，以及对乳房自我检查的实践和感知障碍。这是一项在孟加拉国贾汉吉尔纳格尔大学的 400 名女学生中进行的横断面研究。研究对象于 2020 年 1 月至 4 月从大学女生宿舍中抽取。采用比例分层随机抽样法，从每个宿舍计算研究样本。采用经过验证的半结构式自我报告问卷在调查期间从参与者处收集数据。问卷包括人口统计学变量、乳腺癌知识项目、乳房自我检查实践及其障碍。我们采用描述性和推断性统计方法，使用社会科学统计软件包（SPSS）进行数据分析。参与者年龄在 18-26 岁之间，包括大学一年级（20%）、二年级（24%）、三年级（22%）、四年级（21%）和硕士（14%）学生。18%的人报告有乳腺癌阳性家族史（母亲、阿姨、姐妹/表妹、祖母）。乳腺癌总知识项目的平均得分为 43 分中的 15 分（SD=3），总正确率为 34%。硕士和有乳腺癌家族成员的学生的总知识项目平均得分明显更高（p<0.001）。只有五分之一的学生（21%）曾经进行过乳房自我检查。报告有乳腺癌家族成员的参与者的乳房自我检查实践平均得分明显更高（p<0.001）。乳腺癌总知识得分和乳房自我检查实践得分之间呈显著正相关（r=0.54；p<0.001）。约 33%的参与者报告“缺乏知识”是进行乳房自我检查的主要障碍，其次是“我没有症状”（22%）和“害羞/不适”（17%）。研究表明，对乳腺癌的知识水平较低，乳房自我检查的实践水平较低。我们的研究结果强调，需要制定、实施和推广针对孟加拉国的社会、文化和人口统计学因素适当的教育干预计划，旨在提高对乳腺癌和乳房自我检查的认识和实践。
