KNOWLEDGE OF BREAST CANCER AND SCREENING PRACTICES AMONG WOMEN AT OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY CLINIC, HOSPITAL MACHANG, KELANTAN

Abstract

Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in women and the first leading cause of death among women worldwide. This study assessed the breast cancer knowledge and screening practices among women who attended the Obstetrics & Gynaecology Clinic, Hospital Machang, Kelantan. The data was collected from a sample of 70 women who were 18 years or older using the survey method.

This cross sectional, non-experimental study assessed breast cancer knowledge and behavior in terms of screening practices among women attending the health care clinic. Participation in this study was voluntary. This study used a questionnaire to gather data concerning knowledge of breast cancer and screening practice issues based on demographic characteristics such as age, ethnicity, occupation and educational status.

The results showed that these women had a good knowledge of breast cancer and screening practices. While participants demonstrated a fair knowledge of the screening methods, their participation in the screening procedures remained low. Statistical analysis showed no association between demographic data and level of breast cancer knowledge and screening practices.

In general women in Machang Kelantan had a good knowledge of breast cancer and screening practices. The screening practice known to them was breast-self examination. However, there was no association between their demographic data and knowledge of breast cancer and screening practices. The most outstanding factor that acted as barriers to practising breast - self examination among the women was their lack of confidence. This in tum was related to their lack of knowledge which affects their motivation plus not knowing the correct way to perform the breast self-examination.