Knowledge, attitude and preventive practices of female adults towards breast cancer in Enugu State, South East, Nigeria

Abstract

Breast cancer is now an epidemic, posing a serious threat to the health of women of all races. This study evaluates the knowledge, attitude and preventive practices of female adults towards breast cancer in Enugu State. A total of 400 respondents were involved in the study. The study was a cross-sectional survey and the multistage sampling technique was adopted, while a self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from the respondents. All the respondents have heard of breast cancer. Family history of breast cancer (n=185; 46.3%) and painless lump (n=222; 55.5%) were the most known breast cancer risk factor and symptom respectively. Breast self-examination was the most known preventive practice of breast cancer (n=310; 77.5%) and it was also the most practiced (n=213; 53.3%). News media was the commonest source of information (n=201; 50.3%). There was a significant relationship between the knowledge and attitude of the respondents towards breast cancer (p < 0.05) and between their knowledge and the preventive practices (p < 0.05). Though their attitude towards breast cancer was positive, their knowledge and preventive practices on breast cancer was poor. There is need for educative awareness of breast cancer disease condition on female and promotion of the preventive practices.