Assessment of breast cancer risk perception, knowledge, and breast self-examination practices among market women in Owo, Ondo State, Nigeria
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Date
2023-10-27
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BMC Women's health
Abstract
Background Breast cancer (BC) is the leading cause of cancer death among women worldwide, and its incidence
is increasing, particularly in low-medium-income countries (LMICs). Evidence shows that breast self-examination
(BSE) is culturally acceptable, religiously friendly and inexpensive. This study assessed BC risk perception, knowledge
and breast self-examination practices among market women in Ondo State, Nigeria.
Methods A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among market women in 3 selected markets in Owo.
A semi-structured interview-based questionnaire was used to collect data. The instrument consisted of five sec-
tions based on the objective of the study. Selection of the study participants was done using a multistage sampling
technique. The test–retest method was used to determine the reliability of the instrument. Participants knowledge
and practices were categorised into good (≥ 50% total score) and poor (< 50% total score) while risk perception
was grouped into high (≥ 50% total score) and low (< 50% total score).Data were analyzed using descriptive and infer-
ential statistics at a p-value < 0.05 for determining statistical significance.
Results A total of 335 respondents completed the study and the mean age ± S.D. was 37.19 ± 9.19 years (range:
18–65 years). 47.5% of respondents were Christian while 60.0% of the respondents were married. 15.5% had tertiary
education, and more than two-thirds were from the Yoruba tribe. More than two-thirds (78.5%) of the participants
stated that they practiced breast self-examination, while 58.5% reported to have been taught how to perform
BSE. 75.8% agreed that the use of injectable contraception or oral pills can result in BC, while 75.8% also agreed
that women of reproductive age are at risk of BC. Less than 50% mentioned that they were uncomfortable taking
off clothes in front of health professionals during the examination. The perceived risk of BC showed that 221 (65.97%),
and 114 (34.03%) of respondents had high, and low levels of perceived risk of BC, respectively. However, 184 (54.93%)
and 151 (45.07%) of the respondents had good and poor knowledge. The majority (139, 41.49%) of the respondents
had poor BSE practice. Age (p = 0.023), educational qualifications (p < 0.001), average income per month (p < 0.001)
and ethnicity (p = < 0.001) were statistically associated with knowledge of breast self-examination while religion
(p = 0.02), marital status (p = 0.01), educational qualification (p = 0.001) and distance from facility (p = 0.009) were statis-
tically associated with perceived risk of BC. Participants’ educational qualification (p = 0.006) and ethnicity (p = 0.013)
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Keywords
Breast cancer, Risk perception, Knowledge, Breast self-examination, Practice, Market women, Ondo State, Nigeria
Citation
file:///C:/Users/user/Desktop/BMC%20Article%20on%20Breast%20Cancer.pdf