An exploration of knowledge, attitudes and practices and other breast cancer determinants influencing early detection among women in WIndhoek
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Date
2016
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University of Namibia
Abstract
An alarming increase of breast cancer in Namibia started in 2005 with a record of 179 cases, and 1625 cases in 2006 respectively. To date, the cancer Association of Namibia (CAN) as a registry reported 3092 cancer incidences in 2012. The purpose of this study is to explore the Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices (KAP) and the correlation of the determinant factors on early detection of bread cancer among women in Windhoek. Methods used were the purposive sampling involving 236 women and simple random sampling for selecting six (6) health care facilities in Windhoek, Khomas region. The data collection was conducted over a period of three months, commencing in May 2015 and ended 31st July 2015. A structured questionnaire was used to interview 236 women. The questionnaire consisted of four sections such as Demography, Knowledge, Attitudes and Practice, cross tabulated with variables such as Age, Employment and Educational status. The data were analyzed by using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) software. The findings indicated that 78.8 % of women had knowledge on breast cancer and early detection, whereas 21.2% lacked the knowledge. The question about sources of information regarding breast cancer yielded the following, clinics recorded 34%, while Television (TV) and radio media with 32.7%. These sources were found to have played the biggest role in information sharing. Women with secondary education (64.5%) were more knowledgeable, followed by those with tertiary levels (29.5%). The age categories of 21-30 and 31- 40 indicated a sum of 46.8% to have knowledge on breast cancer. Attitudes among women on breast cancer practices, multiple responses were given. 92.5% responded that they would consult a Doctor, while 87.6% would be scared about the disease. Fewer responses came from women who wished to consult the traditional healers and prayer house (9.1% and 1.1%) respectively. About 90.5% of women happen to have medical insurance cover whereas 59.0% have no medical insurance cover. About 63% of women have practiced mammogram, while about 31% did not practice the mammogram screening. Employed women and student/ learners (83.3%), reported to be practicing mammogram, while 75.6% of the unemployed didn’t practice mammogram. Age categories of 21-30 and 41-49 recorded 72.1% and 66.7% respectively in practicing mammogram. The use of Clinical Breast Examination recorded a small fraction among respondents as only 27.5% visited the health facilities/ doctor for breast examination, while 72.5% were the women who did not seek any medical or visited the doctor for any clinical breast examination. In conclusion; even though the study findings revealed that the majority of women in Windhoek have a sound knowledge of breast cancer, there are still some negative attitudes towards the screenings and practices as stated in the problem statement that there is an alarming increase of breast cancer in Namibia, therefore the study recommends that, the Ministry of Health and Social Services in collaboration with the Cancer Association of Namibian with various stakeholders to develop some strategies on how to address the issues of early detection of breast cancer among women in their reproductive age.
Description
A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirement for the Degree of Master of Public Health
Keywords
Breast cancer