Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences

Published by : PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL PUBLICATIONS

ISSN 1681-715X

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ORIGINAL ARTICLE

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Volume 25

January - March 2009

Number  1


 

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Breast self-examination as a method of early detection
of breast cancer: Knowledge and practice among
antenatal clinic attendees in South Eastern Nigeria

Stephen Onwere1, Obioha Okoro2, Bright Chigbu3,
Chris Aluka4, Chuks Kamanu5, Adaugo Onwere6

ABSTRACT

Objective: To determine antenatal women’s knowledge and practice of breast self-examination as a method of early detection of breast cancer.

Methodology: It is a descriptive study involving 100 consecutive and consenting patients at the antenatal clinic of Abia State University Teaching Hospital, Aba, over the period 1st June, 2007 to 15th June, 2007. Using a structured questionnaire, the respondents’ socio-demographic data were obtained as well as their knowledge of breast cancer, breast self-examination for early detection of breast cancer and the practice of breast self-examination.

Results: The majority (98%) of the women were married. Whilst 78% of the respondents practiced breast self-examination regularly, only 34% of them knew the reason for practising breast self-examination. This means that the breast self-examination practiced was mostly ineffective. Only 3% of the respondents knew about a mammogram whilst none had had a mammogram done in the past. The vast majority (97%) of the respondents had heard of cancer of the breast. Breast self-examination was positively associated with educational level attained.

Conclusion: The level of practice of breast self-examination is very low in our community. Public health programmes that teach women to regularly examine their breast and to seek early treatment for any detected lesions should be publicized through the mass media, seminars, conferences, workshops at the grassroots level and health education at health facilities.

KEY WORDS: Breast, Self-examination, Knowledge, Practice, Women.

Pak J Med Sci    January - March 2009    Vol. 25 No. 1    122-125

How to cite this article:

Onwere S, Okoro O, Chigbu B, Aluka C, Kamanu C, Onwere A. Breast self-examination as a method of early detection of breast cancer: Knowledge and practice among antenatal clinic attendees in South Eastern Nigeria. Pak J Med Sci 2009;25(1):122-125.


1. Stephen Onwere,
2. Obioha Okoro,
3. Bright Chigbu,
4. Chris Aluka,
5. Chuks Kamanu,
1-5: Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology,
College of Medicine,
Abia State University Teaching Hospital,
PMB 7004, Aba, Abia State, Nigeria.
6. Adaugo Onwere,
Department of Primary Health Care,
Aba South Health Office,
P.O. Box 7006, Aba, Abia State, Nigeria.

Correspondence

Dr. Stephen Onwere,
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology,
College of Medicine,
Abia State University Teaching Hospital,
PMB 7004, Aba,
Abia State,
Nigeria.
E-mail: stephenonwere@yahoo.com

* Received for Publication: July 18, 2008
* Revision Received: November 26, 2008
* Revision Accepted: November 27, 2008



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