Health care providers and women accessing ante-natal and family planning services' knowledge, attitudes and practices towards breast cancer screening in Zambezi region, Namibia
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Date
2019
Authors
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Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Namibia
Abstract
Breast cancer cases are on the increase globally. Studies have shown that breast cancer awareness is generally low in African women, thus most cases are detected late, indicating a low level of screening uptake. In 2011 there were a total of 291 breast cancer cases among Namibian women. In Zambezi region only 28% of women have ever been screened for breast cancer by a health care provider. Health care providers are key role players in awareness of breast cancer screening, as they have access to the public in a conducive environment fit for creating awareness and performing breast cancer screening.
The study assessed breast cancer and screening knowledge, attitudes and practices of health care providers, the knowledge of women accessing ante-natal care and family planning services, and the source of information for the women with regards to breast cancer and screening in Zambezi region.
A cross sectional study was conducted on 196 participants (98 health care providers and 98 women accessing ante-natal care and family planning services). Data was collected using structured questionnaires and was entered into micro soft Excel and analysed using EPI info 7.2 software. Frequencies and proportions were generated and bivariate analysis were performed to determine association. Most (39.8%) of the health care providers were in the age group of 40 years and above, the majority (62.2%) were females. Health care providers had adequate knowledge (94.9%), positive attitudes (67.3%) and poor practices towards breast cancer and screening. Women accessing ante-natal care and family planning services showed inadequate knowledge on breast cancer screening (76.5%), and only 2.04% of them had ever been screened for breast cancer by a health care provider. Generally health care providers had adequate knowledge and positive attitudes towards breast cancer screening, however their level of practices were poor, they rarely educated women accessing routine services at health facilities on breast cancer screening, thus there is a need to create more awareness among health care providers on their roles in screening practices, and to educate women on the importance of breast cancer screening.
Description
A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of science in applied field epidemiology
Keywords
Health care providers, Ante-natal, Family planning, Breast cancer screening, Zambezi region, Namibia, Screening, Knowledge, Attitudes, Practices, Health care providers