Knowledge, Attitude and Behaviors of Women between the Ages of 40-69 on Early Detection of Breast Cancer

Abstract

Introduction: In this study, it was aimed to determine the knowledge attitude and behavior characteristics of women between the ages of 40-69 and the factorsrelated to early detection of breast cancer and to evaluate the related factors. Method: The cross-sectional study was conducted in two urban and semi-urbanareas of Balıkesir. The population of the study consisted of 2000 women aged between 40-69 years who were enrolled in two family health centers. The samplesize was calculated as at least one time mammography use rates of 40% for women over 40 years of age and a minimum of 7% deviation and 95% confidencelevel with a minimum of 177. The sample selection was performed by face-to-face interviews with the questionnaire form structured by the researchers. Thedependent variables of the study are self breast examination and mammography at any time. The independent variables are social and demographiccharacteristics, general health status, utilization of health services and information about institutions, the information index and attitude index about breastcancer. In the univariate analysis of dependent and independent variables, Chi-square test and Fisher's exact test were used in categorical data. Backwardelimination method was used in logistic regression model. Type 1 error value p<0.05 was considered as significant in the analysis. Results: The mean age ofthe research group consisting of 180 people was 52,8±8,3 years. Self breast examination were higher 3.2 times (1,3-7,8) in those living in the semi-urban area;2,5 times (1,1-6,2) in women aged 40-50, 3.0 times (1,1-6.2) the majority of life in the village, 2,5 times (1,1-6,5) without chronic disease, 3.1 times (1,3-7,4)in those with lower knowledge points, 5.8 times (2.6-12.9) those with low attitude scores (p <0.05). No mammography was found in 2,3 times (1,1-4,6) womenin 40-50 years old, 3.8 times (1,1-14,1) for those without health insurance, 2.3 times (1.1-4.6) in those with lower knowledge score, 2.1 times (1.1-4.1) in thosewith lower attitude score (p<0.05). Conclusion: Only one-fifth of women performed regular breast self-examination and only half had mammography. Selfbreast self-examination and mammography-pulling behavior are low in socio-demographically disadvantaged groups. Knowing the community health centerand going to the community health center affect the behavior positively. Therefore, it may be useful to increase the availability and accessibility of healthservices through community-based planned and routine screening to enable women to receive training and mammography in BSE.