Practice of breast self-examination and its associated factors among women of reproductive age in seven public health facilities in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: A multi-centre cross-sectional study.
BackgroundBreast cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide and the second most common cancer among women globally. Breast self-examination is a highly cost-effective method for the early detection of breast cancer in asymptomatic women. Despite this, the practice of breast self-examination remains low in Ethiopia.ObjectivesThis study aimed to evaluate the practice of Breast Self-Examination and Its Associated Factors among Women of reproductive age in Seven Public Health Facilities in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.DesignThis study employed a quantitative, multicenter, institution-based, cross-sectional, analytical design.MethodsThe study was conducted among women of reproductive age receiving medical care at designated public health facilities in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The study participants were selected using a simple random sampling technique from the study population. The data were reviewed, coded, and entered into Epi Info version 7.0, then transferred to SPSS version 27 for analysis. A P-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results were reported by using texts and frequency distribution tables.ResultA total of 553 respondents participated in the study; of these, only 96 (17.3%) participants ever practiced breast self-examination. Education and Occupational status were found to have a significant association with the practice of breast self-examination. There is a strong association between knowledge and the practice of breast self-examination (BSE). Women of reproductive age who were knowledgeable about BSE were 4.75 times more likely to perform it compared to those with poor knowledge [AOR = 4.75, 95% CI (3.85, 7.45)].ConclusionThe practice of breast self-examination among the study participants was low. Therefore, we recommend that the Ministry of Health and other relevant organizations promote community awareness about breast cancer and the importance of breast self-examination.
Authors
Mohammed Mohammed, Tafese Tafese, Menberu Menberu, Nigussie Nigussie, Hassen Hassen, Minda Minda, Deress Deress
View on Pubmed