Alshafie Mohammed, Bitar Anas, Alameer Mhd Basheer, Alhomsi Dima, Alfawal Massa, Saifo Maher
Faculty of Medicine, Damascus University, Damascus, Syria.
Professor of Medical Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Damascus University, Almazzeh, Damascus, Syria.
BMC Med Educ. 2025 Jan 23;25(1):111. doi: 10.1186/s12909-024-06586-6.
Breast cancer is the most common and deadliest cancer in Syria, and early detection is crucial in managing it. This study aims to compare the knowledge levels of breast cancer risk factors, signs, and symptoms among female students in healthcare faculties (medicine, dentistry, and pharmacy) at Damascus University to identify existing disparities. The goal is to enhance breast cancer education and awareness across Syria by empowering healthcare students with insights.
An online self-administered questionnaire was shared on social media for female students of healthcare faculties to respond to. A total of 589 participants were included after applying the inclusion criteria. The questionnaire collected sociodemographic characteristics and evaluated the knowledge of breast cancer (BC) using breast cancer awareness measure (BCAM). The scale evaluates three sections: general knowledge, symptoms, and risk factors. Comparisons were conducted among the three faculties to gauge variations in knowledge levels.
The majority of participants were aged between 21-23, the average of breast cancer knowledge among the whole sample was 24.7 ± 6.33 out of 40, with the internet and social media being the primary sources of information. Medical students had significantly higher knowledge scores compared to pharmacy and dentistry students. Higher faculty average grades were associated with higher knowledge scores, and there was a positive correlation between study years and breast cancer knowledge for medical and pharmacy students. There was no significant difference in breast cancer knowledge between participants with and without a medical relative or family history of breast cancer.
Breast cancer knowledge among female healthcare students in Damascus University is perfectible, which may not be enough to raise awareness. Awareness programs should be created to encourage leadership and accurate information dissemination, and professors should model good prevention practices.
乳腺癌是叙利亚最常见且最致命的癌症，早期检测对其治疗至关重要。本研究旨在比较大马士革大学健康科学学院（医学、牙科和药学）女学生对乳腺癌风险因素、体征和症状的认知水平，以确定存在的差异。目标是通过让健康科学专业学生获得相关见解，加强叙利亚全国的乳腺癌教育和意识。
通过社交媒体向健康科学学院的女学生发放一份在线自填式问卷。在应用纳入标准后，共纳入589名参与者。问卷收集了社会人口学特征，并使用乳腺癌认知测量量表（BCAM）评估对乳腺癌（BC）的认知。该量表评估三个部分：一般知识、症状和风险因素。对三个学院进行比较，以衡量知识水平的差异。
大多数参与者年龄在21 - 23岁之间，整个样本的乳腺癌知识平均得分在40分中为24.7 ± 6.33分，互联网和社交媒体是主要信息来源。与药学和牙科专业学生相比，医学专业学生的知识得分显著更高。学院平均成绩较高与知识得分较高相关，医学和药学专业学生的学习年限与乳腺癌知识之间存在正相关。有或没有乳腺癌医学亲属或家族病史的参与者在乳腺癌知识方面没有显著差异。
大马士革大学健康科学专业女学生的乳腺癌知识有待完善，可能不足以提高意识。应制定提高意识的项目，鼓励发挥带头作用并准确传播信息，教授应树立良好的预防行为榜样。
