Journal of the Dow University of Health Sciences (Jan 2011)
Knowledge, Attitude and Practices of Breast Self Examination (BSE) in Women of Karachi
Abstract
Objective: To assess the knowledge, attitude and practices ofbreast self examination (BSE) in women attendinggynecological units of major public sector hospitals ofKarachi. Study Design: Cross sectional survey. Patients and Methods: All women of age between 20-50 years of either marital status attending Gynae OPDof Civil Hospital and Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center, Karachi from May 2010 to December 2010 wereincluded in the study. A verbal consent of each participant was obtained before collecting the data. The datawas collected through a structured questionnaire have information on socio economic data, knowledge aboutBreast SelfExamination, symptoms, risk factors and preventive methods regarding breast cancer, attitude ofthe respondent and practices regarding Breast Self Examination. Results: Out of 412 respondents, majority belongs to 30-39 years age group (43.7%). Knowledge about breastself examination was found in only 22.8% respondents. Knowledge about symptoms, risk factors and preventivemeasures regarding Breast cancer were 25.3%, 28.7% and 26.0% respectively. However majority of the women98.9% who have the knowledge were practice the Breast SelfExamination monthly or fortnightly. The attituderegarding Breast Self Examination was very encouraging as 97.3% of the respondents promised not only toadopt it in future but also recommend it to their relatives and other friends. Conclusion: The knowledge about Breast SelfExamination was very low in the respondent which is the easierway of early detection of different breast diseases specially, breast cancer. However those who know it aredoing it well. The attitude of the respondents was very encouraging. Awareness programme should be developedto promote it for early detection of Breast cancer.
