Jul 2026· International Journal for Sciences and Technology· Vol 17· 0 citations· 22 references
TL;DR
The findings indicate that most respondents demonstrated adequate knowledge about the nature, causes, and prevention of breast cancer, recognizing it as a leading cause of death among women and emphasizing the importance of early detection through awareness and screening.
Abstract
Background: Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women worldwide and remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths. The objective of the study is to ascertain the knowledge, attitude and breast cancer preventive practices of women of reproductive age (15 – 49 years) in Ebonyi State. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study design was adopted in the study. It consists of 383 women of reproductive age in Ezza North and they were selected across the two zones of the local government area using multi-stage sampling technique. Results: The study revealed that several 132(34.5%) of the respondents are of ages 20-29 years, majority 265(63.2%) and 289(75.5%) of the study participants have attained secondary and tertiary level of education respectively, more number 306(79.9%) of the respondents are Christians, and several 350(83.5%) of the participants are students. More than half 216(56.4%) of the participants have good knowledge of breast cancer while a lesser fraction 167(43.6%) of the respondents have poor knowledge of women about breast cancer. Majority 256(66.8%) of the participants have positive attitude towards breast cancer preventive practices. Also, most 277(72.3%) of the participants have good preventive practices of breast cancer and none of the participant has breast cancer. The shows that there is statistically significant relationship between age (p=0.0001), religion (p=0.0001), occupation (p=0.0001), and preventive practices of breast cancer. Conclusion: The findings indicate that most respondents demonstrated adequate knowledge about the nature, causes, and prevention of breast cancer, recognizing it as a leading cause of death among women and emphasizing the importance of early detection through awareness and screening. Continuous and community-based breast cancer awareness programs should be implemented to sustain and expand women’s knowledge of the disease, its risk factors, and early detection methods.
Breast cancer (BC) is the most common malignancy among women globally and a leading cause of cancer-related mortality in Libya, where late-stage diagnosis remains prevalent. Breast self-examination (BSE) is a low-cost, accessible screening tool particularly valuable in resource-limited settings. This study assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of BSE, as well as awareness of BC symptoms, risk factors, and protective factors among female medical students at the University of Benghazi. A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among 422 undergraduate female medical students during the academic year 2023. Data were collected using a pre-coded self-administered questionnaire based on validated tools. Knowledge of BSE was assessed on a 9-item scale and was categorized as adequate (≥75%), moderate (50-74%), and poor (<50%). Attitudes and practices were assessed through direct questions. The associations between sociodemographic variables and outcomes were analyzed using chi-square tests. The mean age was 24.5 ± 3.1 years. Only 26.1% of participants had adequate knowledge of BSE, 49.1% had moderate knowledge, and 24.9% had poor knowledge. Most of the participants (80.5%) had a positive attitude towards BSE, but only 18.2% reported doing BSE regularly (monthly). Regular practice was significantly associated with older age (χ²(3) = 21.87, p < 0.001), clinical academic year (χ²(1) = 18.77, p < 0.001), and marital status (χ²(1) = 6.05, p = 0.014), but not with family history of BC (p = 0.245). BC symptoms and known risk factors were generally well known, while some protective and risk factors were misperceived. Conclusion: Although attitudes are positive and awareness is moderate, female medical students in Benghazi have poor knowledge and practice of BSE. We recommend that structured and practical BSE training be incorporated into the pre-clinical medical curriculum to bridge the knowledge-practice gap and train future physicians to be advocates of early detection.
Asmaa E Salem, Y. Alkhbulli, Mohammed Albahloul et al.· AlQalam journal of medical a...· 0 citations
Introduction: Cervical cancer remains a significant public health challenge in Nigeria despite the availability of screening methods. This study investigated the utilization of cervical cancer screening and associated factors among women of reproductive age attending Federal Medical Center (FMC), Keffi. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted among women aged 15-49 years using a systematic random sampling method. Of 400 eligible women approached, 384 completed the questionnaire (response rate: 96.0%). Data were collected with structured questionnaires and analyzed using SPSS v26. Chi-square tests and logistic regression were used to examine associations at p ≤ 0.05. Results: Only 24% of participants had ever undergone cervical cancer screening, while 76% had never been screened. Among those screened, 65.2% utilized government facilities, and 34.8% used private hospitals. Major barriers to screening included Cost (34.2%), Lack of Awareness (30.2%), not knowing where to access services (15.1%), and the belief that screening is unnecessary without symptoms (15.1%). Multivariable logistic regression confirmed Age (aOR = 0.08; 95% CI: 0.01-0.65; p = 0.018), Marital Status (aOR = 0.09; 95% CI: 0.02-0.43; p = 0.002), Educational Status (aOR = 3.43; 95% CI: 1.34-8.76; p = 0.010), Occupation (aOR = 0.29; 95% CI: 0.11 – 0.79; p = 0.016), and Ethnicity (aOR = 0.32; 95% CI: 0.13 – 0.77; p = 0.011) as independent predictors. Conclusions: The uptake of cervical cancer screening services among women at FMC Keffi is low. Cost, poor awareness, limited knowledge of service locations, and misconceptions were key barriers. Marital status, education, occupation, and ethnicity predicted screening uptake. Reducing costs and improving targeted health education may increase utilization.
O. Akanni, Idris Muhammad Yakubu, A. Ojurongbe et al.· Nigerian Medical Journal· 0 citations
Introduction: Ovarian cancer is a malignant type of illness, the misinterpretation of the symptomatic ovarian cancer average in women and their physicians might cause a subsequent misdiagnosis of the illness. Objective: Aim of the research was to find out the level of awareness of the symptoms and risk factors of ovarian cancer among women visiting teaching hospital in Kirkuk city. Methods: This study is quantitative descriptive (cross-sectional) design. The data collection was performed using a constructed questionnaire of purposive (non-probability) sample of (200) women visiting at outpatient and inpatients in the Teaching Hospitals in Kirkuk City. Results: The average of the subjects under assessment was (33.16). Juvenile cases were divided into the following groups of Married (66.5%) and house wife (66%). most cases (33%) had high level of education. The cases with adequate economic condition were 57 percent and (72%) percent of cases were urban dwelling. A statistically significant association was observed between Awareness of the risk factors of ovarian cancer in relation to age (p-value = 0.000) and educational level (p-value=0.013), also statistically significant difference was observed between awareness of the symptoms of the ovarian cancer in related to age (p-value = 0.024), Educational level (p-value=0.043) and Economic status (p=0.003). The good awareness (61%) of the participants toward risk factors of the ovarian cancer is more than the poor awareness of the risk factor, while the good awareness (49%) of the participants toward the symptoms is less than the poor awareness (51%) of the ovarian cancer symptoms. Conclusion: The general awareness of the symptoms of ovarian cancer in this study was low.
S. Q. Shakor, M. A. Khalaf, Hazha Fadhil Hussein et al.· International Journal of Nut...· 0 citations
Breast cancer remains the most common cancer worldwide, with about 2.26 million new cases and 685,000 deaths reported globally. This study aimed to assess community awareness of symptom-free breast cancer screening as a strategy for reducing disease risk and promoting early treatment. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional survey was carried out using a Google Form questionnaire between September and December 2025 in some states in Nigeria. A total of 156 adults (men and women aged 18 years and above) were conveniently recruited. Data were analysed using SPSS version 23, and associations were examined using the Chi-square test. Results: Females made up 79% of respondents, 51% were aged 30–39 years, and 85% had tertiary-level education. Most women (97%) had heard of breast cancer, 95% reported no family history of the disease, and 69% lacked knowledge of its risk factors. In addition, 59% indicated that financial cost prevented them from undergoing screening, while 85% identified early detection as the most effective preventive approach. Conclusion: Despite high awareness of breast cancer, important gaps in knowledge of risk factors and barriers to screening remain. Targeted health education and improved access to affordable screening services are needed to promote early detection and increase breast cancer screening uptake.
L. Daniel, L. Olatunji, Ganabuto Kadabiyu Jones et al.· FUDMA Journal of Sciences· 0 citations
Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in Ghana, with many cases detected at advanced stages due to limited screening options. Breast self-examination (BSE) is a low-cost and practical method for early detection. This study aimed to assess factors influencing the practice of BSE among female tertiary students in the Tamale Metropolis.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 486 female students selected from three tertiary institutions. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire on sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge, and practice of BSE. Descriptive and inferential statistics, including logistic regression, were used for analysis.
Results: Among participants, 95.1% had heard of BSE, and 95.3% considered it important for detecting breast cancer. Overall, 70.8% demonstrated good knowledge, while 63% reported good practice. Monthly practice was reported by 39.3%, and 54.9% performed BSE after menstruation. Lumps were the most commonly checked sign (86.8%), and 86.4% indicated they would consult a health professional if abnormalities were detected. Students with good knowledge were nearly five times more likely to practice effectively (AOR=4.88, 95% CI: 2.84-8.38, p<0.001).
Conclusions: The study revealed high knowledge but moderate practice of BSE among tertiary students. Enhancing structured health education within tertiary institutions could strengthen regular practice and improve early detection of breast cancer.
Francis Kronzu Cudjoe, Abdul-Samed Mohammed, M. Y. Amoakoh· International Journal of Com...· 0 citations
Summary Objectives: Breast cancer (BC) is the most common malignancy among women worldwide and represents a significant burden for Yemeni women. Early detection through breast self-examination (BSE) and knowledge of risk factors and symptoms are crucial. This study aimed to assess awareness, knowledge and practice regarding BC risk factors, symptoms and BSE among female healthcare workers (HCWs) in Al-Mukalla, Yemen. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from September to October 2022 at three public hospitals in Al-Mukalla, Yemen. A census sampling approach was used to recruit HCWs. Data were collected using a validated self-administered questionnaire covering breast awareness practices, risk factor awareness, symptom recognition and BSE frequency. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were used to identify BSE predictors. Results: A total of 151 HCWs were included in this study (response rate = 83.0%). The mean participant age was 30.4 ± 6.1 years; 49.7% were aged 20–29 years. Most participants were unmarried (66.2%), university-educated (57.0%) and doctors (47.0%). Knowledge of hallmark symptoms such as breast masses (90.0%) was high; however, 51.0% misidentified the specific laterality (right upper outer quadrant) of the most common cancer site, rather than the quadrant itself. Regular (monthly) BSE was reported by 71.5% of participants. Multivariable analysis showed that nurses were less likely than doctors to perform BSE (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 0.32, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.14–0.73; P = 0.007). Diploma holders practised BSE less than university graduates (aOR = 0.38, 95% CI: 0.19–0.78; P = 0.008), while higher BC knowledge independently predicted greater BSE practice (aOR = 2.15, 95% CI: 1.10–4.20; P = 0.025). Conclusion: Despite good symptom awareness, significant knowledge gaps remain regarding risk factors and breast anatomy among female HCWs in Al-Mukalla, Yemen. BSE practice is still suboptimal, influenced by professional role, education level and BC knowledge. Targeted interventions focusing on breast awareness and structured education are urgently required.
Wafa Al Shoaeeb, A. Badheeb, Faisal Ahmed et al.· Sultan Qaboos University Med...· 0 citations
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