Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice (KAP) of Early Detection of Breast Cancer among the Rural woman in Chattogram, Bangladesh

Abstract

Background: Among the 100 different types of cancer, breast cancer holds 2nd position with the highest prevalence in Bangladesh among the South Asian countries. The prevalence shows highest among rural women than urban. Around 90% of breast cancers are diagnosed at stage III–IV and this rate of late-stage diagnosis is alarming and is becoming quite frequent. Early diagnosis of Breast Cancer can be successfully achieved by mass screening either by Mammography, Clinical Breast Examination (CBE), and Self-breast examination (SBE) or by a combination of the three. Objective: The study objective was to access the current level of knowledge and awareness of Breast Cancer screening and prevention, Attitudes, Practices, and risk factors among the rural women in Chattogram Bangladesh. Method: A total of 347 participants aged between 18-45 was selected for sampling. For the selection of the study design random sampling was used. From one area household was chosen randomly one by one. For the data collection process, face-to-face interviews were used. Results: Students who participated in the study average age of the students was 28. Most were from the secondary level (53%), 18.4% were from the Primary and College level and 3.7% had never gone to any educational institutions. Most participants (80.1%) were married and 17.3% were unmarried and 2.6% were Divorced or widowed. Most of the women belong to the middle-income household (60.8%), 29.4% were from lower household income, and 9.8% were from the higher income household. Women who belong to the Secondary (44.6%), college (21.6%), and university (21.6%) levels have the highest Knowledge about Breast Cancer and its Early detection method. More than 15,000 tk household income(54%) shows the greater knowledge and the age group between 18-28 (56.3%) shows the highest knowledge of Breast Cancer and its early detection method. The Practice secondary school (71.4%) and university(28.6%) showed more practices among the women and secondary level students (54.1%) showed a more positive attitude towards Breast cancer early detection. But overall among the women the women's Knowledge and Attitude were found very less and More positive attitude shown among the participants. Conclusion: The study shows poor Knowledge and Practices among the women of rural areas. Women who just completed primary level and have never gone to any educational institution show more negative results. Because of their unconsciousness still, women are not aware of the Early detection method of Breast cancer. As it becomes a more concerning issue day by day Breast Cancer education initiatives should be organized by healthcare professionals and the government to raise public awareness of the Breast cancer disease and the early detection method of it.