Very poor practices regarding breast cancer screening among Sudanese female workers at a secondary-level hospital: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Introduction: Breast Cancer (BC) mortality and morbidity burden in African countries is higher compared to western countries due to late diagnosis produced by deficient screening. We aimed to assess the level of knowledge, attitude and practice regarding Breast Cancer Screening (BCS) among Sudanese female workers at a secondary-level hospital.

Methods: this is a cross-sectional study carried out at the largest governmental hospital of Ad Damazin City (capital of Blue Nile State, south-eastern Sudan) in 2018. It surveyed female healthcare providers “group A” compared to the non-medical female staff at the same hospital “group B” to assess their awareness, beliefs and behavior concerning breast cancer screening. Chi-squared and Student t-tests were used for analysis with a significant p value of <0.05.

Results: participants were 110, included 78 (70.9%), (“group A”) and 32 (29.1%) (“group B”) women. Good overall knowledge score (47.4%) vs (43.8%), for “group A” and “group B”, respectively, p=0.000. Positive attitude was scored by 63 (80.8%) vs. 23 (71.9%) participants in “group A” and “group B” respectively, p= 0.305. Obvious denial trend regarding susceptibility to this disease was noted in both groups. BCS practices were seriously unsatisfactory in both groups. As “group A” vs “group B” regarding breast self-examination, n=13 (16.7%) vs n=10 (31.3%); clinical breast examination n=4 (5.1%) vs n=4 (12.5%) and mammography was not performed by any woman in both groups.

Conclusion: the modest knowledge and poor BCS practices of our study groups strongly recommends appropriate official and educational actions.