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ORIGINAL RESEARCH article

Front. Public Health
Sec. Public Health Education and Promotion
Volume 12 - 2024 | doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1450082

KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE TOWARDS BREAST SELF□EXAMINATION AMONG WOMEN : A WEB BASED COMMUNITY STUDY

Provisionally accepted
Geetha Kandasamy Geetha Kandasamy *Dalia Almaghaslah Dalia Almaghaslah Mona Almanasef Mona Almanasef Raseel A. Alamri Raseel A. Alamri
  • Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, King Khalid University, Abha, Asir, Saudi Arabia

The final, formatted version of the article will be published soon.

    Abstract Background The most common form of cancer among women is breast cancer in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.Thus, the purpose of this study was to evaluate women in Saudi Arabia's Asir Region, on their knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding breast self-examination (BSE). Methods The research was carried out cross-sectional and conducted from October 2023 to June 2024 in Saudi Arabia's Asir province. Results Out of 397 study participants, 89 (22.4%) had good knowledge, and 308 (77.6%) had poor knowledge; 185 (46.6%) had a positive attitude, and 212 (53.4%) had a negative attitude 24 (6%) had good practice 373 (94%) had poor practice about breast BSE. Only 231 (58.2%) and 247 (62.2%)  agreed that breast cancer is indicated by changes in the color and shape of the breast and retraction/discharge of the breasts, respectively.   Out of 147, 24 (16.3%) self-examined just one week after each menstruation.  Single (OR = 6.259; 95% CI = 1.790–21.887, p = 0.004) and married (OR = 4.923; 95% CI = 1.509–16.056, p = 0.008), Single (OR = 2.736; 95% CI = 1.248–6.000, p = 0.012) and married (OR = 3.176; 95% CI = 1.734–5.817, p = 0.00) were significantly associated with good knowledge and attitude of BSE respectively. Illiterates (OR = 0.233; 95% CI = 0.060–0.895, p = 0.034), pre-university (OR = 0.222; 95% CI = 0.092–0.538, p = 0.001), Illiterates (OR = 0.293; 95% CI = 0.114–0.755, p = 0.011), pre-university (OR = 0.462; 95% CI = 0.271–0.788, p = 0.005) are less likely to have good knowledge and attitude compared to college and university educated. Conclusion The study revealed that few women have good knowledge, attitudes, and practices among BSE. In this study, attitude level is high in comparison to knowledge and practice. However, 94% never practiced at all. It is strongly advised that a focus be placed on improving women's KAP regarding BSE, as well as BSE educational programs in universities and more community service activities such as health campaigns in public places.

    Keywords: Breast Self-Examination, knowledge, Attitude, Practice, Women

    Received: 16 Jun 2024; Accepted: 17 Sep 2024.

    Copyright: © 2024 Kandasamy, Almaghaslah, Almanasef and Alamri. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

    * Correspondence: Geetha Kandasamy, Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, King Khalid University, Abha, 61421, Asir, Saudi Arabia

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