Knowledge, Attitude and Behavior of Women towards Breast Cancer Screening

Abstract

Knowledge, Attitude and Behavior of Women towards Breast Cancer Screening

Cherdchai Kittipovanon MD*

Suphakarn Techapongsatorn MD, MSc (Health Development), FICS**

* Somdej Prayuparaj Kranuan Hospital, Khon Kaen

** Department of Surgery, BMA Medical College and Vajira hospital

Objective: To study the knowledge, attitude and behavior of Thai women towards breast cancer screening.

Study design: Descriptive study.

Subjects: Two hundred women attending out-patient clinic of the Department of Surgery or visitors of in-patients in the surgical wards at BMA Medical College and Vajira hospital or Somdej Prayuparaj Kranuan Hospital, Khon Kaen during August - December 2007 were enrolled into the study.

Methods: Self-administered questionnaires about knowledge, attitude and behavior towards breast cancer screening were distributed to the subjects. Data were collected and analysed.

Main outcome measures: Knowledge, attitude, and behavior towards breast cancer screening.

Results: Seventy-five percent of subjects had knowledge towards breast cancer screening by self examination and 70% had knowledge towards breast cancer screening by the physicians. Regarding the attitude towards breast cancer screening, 93% had good attitude to self-breast examination, 70% to the physicians' breast examination, and 95% to mammography. However, only 70% had ever performed the breast-self examination and only 30% ever sought for medical consultation for breast examination and mammography.

Conclusion: Majority of subjects had good knowledge and attitude towards breast cancer screening, but only 30% went for medical breast examination and mammography.

Vajira Med J 2009 ; 53 : 261-266