Knowledge of risk factors, beliefs and practices of female healthcare professionals towards breast cancer in a tertiary institution in Lagos, Nigeria

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Breast cancer is the leading female malignancy in Nigeria. Screening for early detection has led to reduction in mortality from the disease. It is known that attitudes of physicians and motivation by community nurses influence uptake of screening methods by women. This study aims to investigate knowledge of breast cancer risk factors, beliefs about treatment and practice of screening methods among a cohort of female healthcare professionals in Lagos, Nigeria.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A cross-sectional study was conducted using a self-administered questionnaire to assess the knowledge of breast cancer risk factors, beliefs about treatment and practice of screening methods among 207 female doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals working in a university teaching hospital in Lagos, Nigeria. Stratified random sampling method was employed. Chi square test, analysis of variance and Mantel-Haenszel test were performed in data analysis using SPSS v10.0 and Epi Info version 6 statistical packages.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Female doctors obtained a mean knowledge score of 74% and were the only professional group that had satisfactory knowledge of risk factors. Majority (86%) believed that early breast cancer is curable while half of participants believed that prayer can make breast cancer disappear from the affected breast. Eighty three percent practice breast self-examination (BSE) once a month and only 8% have ever had a mammogram. Age, knowledge of risk factors, profession and beliefs were not significantly associated with rate of BSE in this study.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Results from this study suggest the need for continuing medical education programmes aimed at improving knowledge of breast cancer among female healthcare providers other than doctors.</p

Case-Control Study Of Risk Factors For Breast Cancer In Nigerian Women: A Pilot Study

Objective: To evaluate the risk factors for breast cancer among women in Midwestern and Southeastern Nigeria. Design: A case control study. Setting: University of Benin Teaching hospital, Benin City and University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt in Nigeria. Subjects: Fifty one women with diagnosis of breast cancer and their age- and sex matched controls were included in the study. Interventions: Data was collected during a 30 minute period after obtaining written informed consent using interviewer-administered questionnaires. Results: Parity>4 (OR=0.50, 95% Cl 0.17, 1.46) and duration of breast feeding>60 months (OR=0.58, 95% Cl 0.23, 1.48) were associated with reduced risk of breast cancer while birth order>3 (OR=I.50, 95% Cl 0.25, 8.98), age at first full term pregnancy>20 years (OR=2.50, 95% Cl 0.78, 7.97) and longer duration of reproductive period (OR=1.25, 95% Cl 0.34, 4.66) were associated with increased risk of breast cancer. Conclusion: The study has shown that high parity and long duration of breastfeeding are associated with reduced risk while high birth order and late age at first full-term pregnancy are associated with increased risk of breast cancer. East African Medical Journal Vol.82(1) 2005: 14-1