Knowledge, Attitude and Practice on Breast Cancer and Factors associated with Breast Self Examination among residents of Addis Ababa city, Ethiopia, 2019

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background: Breast cancer is a major life-threatening public health problem of great global concern. Lack of early detection and management service and limited awareness of early signs and symptoms of cancer make the situation worse in developing countries. However in Ethiopia, only few researches were done and thus limited information. The study assessed the level of knowledge, attitude and practice about breast cancer among residents of Addis Ababa City. Methods: A cross- sectional study was conducted on a sample of 630 women. The sample size was equally divided among three randomly selected woredas. Samples were selected by systematic sampling technique. Data were collected by trained data collectors through a face-to face interview using pre-tested, semi-structured questionnaire. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were done and P-value and 95% confidence interval for odds ratio were used to decide the significance of the associations. Result: The study revealed that only 45.6 % of participants had good overall knowledge about breast cancer and BSE. Although 53% of the study participants had positive attitude towards BSE; only 17% reported that they practice BSE monthly. A significant association was found between occupational status and practice of breast self examination (AOR 2.73, P=0.011). The same was for knowledge towards breast self examination (AOR 11.5, P=0.000) Conclusion and recommendation: Majority of women in Addis Ababa had low knowledge and insufficient breast self examination practices though most had positive attitude towards breast self examination. The region’s health bureau and local mass-media need to work on breast cancer awareness and practice of the women in the city. Key Words: Breast cancer, Breast self examination, Ethiopia