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Breast cancer knowledge, attitudes and practices among Nepalese women
Author(s) -
BHATT V.R.,
WETZ R.V.,
SHRESTHA R.,
SHRESTHA B.,
SHAH N.,
SAYAMI P.,
GURUNG C.K.,
WEISERBS K.F.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
european journal of cancer care
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.849
H-Index - 67
eISSN - 1365-2354
pISSN - 0961-5423
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2354.2011.01272.x
Subject(s) - medicine , breast cancer , family medicine , mammography , cancer , health care , gynecology , population , breast cancer screening , environmental health , economics , economic growth
BHATT V.R., WETZ R.V., SHRESTHA R., SHRESTHA B., SHAH N., SAYAMI P., GURUNG C.K. & WEISERBS K.F. (2011) European Journal of Cancer Care 20 , 810–817 Breast cancer knowledge, attitudes and practices among Nepalese women Although Nepal has an epidemic of early‐onset, aggressive, advanced breast cancer, breast cancer knowledge and screening practices of Nepalese women have not been assessed. This paper summarises the results of a physician‐administrated survey of gynaecologic inpatients ( n = 100) admitted between 1 December 2009 and 31 January 2010 at a Nepalese University. Mean knowledge score of the participants was 65%, significantly higher among highly educated women ( P = 0.008), professionals ( P = 0.014) and women counselled during medical visits ( P = 0.030). Study participants, including highly educated women, had many misconceptions. This included lack of awareness of painless nature and non‐lump symptoms of breast cancer as well as the belief that traditional health care can be curative. The majority of participants were unaware of clinical breast examination (68%) and mammography (56%). Only 10% of the participants had undergone breast evaluation in the last 2 years. The practice of breast evaluation was more common among Buddhists ( P = 0.043), and women counselled during medical visits ( P < 0.001), with high economic status ( P = 0.022), higher education ( P = 0.013) and a family history of breast cancer ( P = 0.049). Counselling during medical visits and higher education level were associated with better knowledge of and screening practices for breast cancer in the studied population.