1
|
Ahmead M, Shehadah F, Abuiram I. Correlation of death anxiety with coping strategies among Palestinian women with breast cancer: a cross-sectional study. Front Public Health 2024; 12:1420306. [PMID: 38915747 PMCID: PMC11194404 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1420306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Death anxiety and maladaptive coping accompany breast cancer diagnoses. The coping mechanisms and death anxiety among Palestinian patients with breast cancer have not been studied. Aim To assess the prevalence of death anxiety and its relationship with coping strategies among Palestinian women with breast cancer who are treated in Beit Jala Governmental Hospital in Bethlehem. Method A cross-sectional design was used, and 214 breast cancer patients who visited the Beit Jala Governmental Hospital in Bethlehem were recruited. Templer's Death Anxiety Scale and the Brief COPE Scale were used. To investigate the relationship between coping strategies and death anxiety, frequency, percentages, chi-square tests, and Pearson's correlation tests were utilized. Results The results indicated that 58.40% of the patients experienced death anxiety. The participants who used positive reframing (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.487, p = < 0.026), self-blame (AOR = 1.309, p = < 0.023), and religion (AOR = 1.260, p = < 0.031) as coping mechanisms were more likely to experience death anxiety. Conversely, the participants who adopted substance use (AOR = 0.657, p < 0.005) and active coping (AOR = 0.629, p < 0.007) as coping strategies had a lower likelihood of experiencing death anxiety. Conclusion The study revealed that breast cancer patients tended to use a combination of functional and emotional coping strategies and that a significant proportion of these patients (58.4%) experienced symptoms of death anxiety. This study emphasizes the significance of screening for death anxiety and understanding the coping strategies utilized by the patients. Gaining this understanding will assist in identifying patients who need more guidance and support.
Collapse
|
2
|
Alhuwail D, Alhouti A, Alsarhan L. Assessing the Quality, Privacy, and Security of Breast Cancer Apps for Arabic Speakers: Systematic Search and Review of Smartphone Apps. JMIR Cancer 2024; 10:e48428. [PMID: 38227353 PMCID: PMC10828940 DOI: 10.2196/48428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2023] [Revised: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Breast cancer is a widespread disease, and its incidence is rapidly increasing in the Middle East and North Africa region. With the increasing availability of smartphone apps for various health purposes, breast cancer apps have emerged as tools for raising awareness, providing support, and empowering women affected by this disease. These apps offer many features, including information on breast cancer risk factors, self-examination guides, appointment reminders, and community support groups or hotlines. Using apps raises the risk of privacy and security issues, and we hope that examining these features of the apps will contribute to the understanding of how technology can be used to improve these apps and provide insights for future development and improvement of breast cancer apps. OBJECTIVE This study aims to critically review the quality, privacy, and security of breast cancer apps available to Arabic speakers. METHODS Similar to several recent studies, we used a systematic search for apps available in Google Play and Apple App stores using both the web interface and the built-in native stores installed on smartphones. The search was conducted in mid-December 2022 in Arabic using the following keywords: سرطان الثدي - فحص سرطان الثدي - علاج سرطان الثدي - مرض سرطان الثدي - أعراض سرطان الثدي - فحص الثدي (breast cancer, breast cancer treatment, breast cancer disease, breast cancer symptoms, breast cancer screening, and breast test). These preidentified search terms are based on earlier work concerning the top searched breast cancer topics by Arabic speakers through Google's search engine. We excluded apps that did not have an Arabic interface, were developed for non-Arabic speakers, were paid, needed a subscription, or were directed toward health care workers. The Mobile App Rating Scale was used to evaluate the quality of the apps concerning their engagement, functionality, aesthetics, and information. A risk score was calculated for the apps to determine their security risk factors. RESULTS Only 9 apps were included, with most (6/9, 67%) being supported by advertisements and categorized as informational. Overall, the apps had low numbers of downloads (>10 to >1000). The majority of the included apps (8/9, 89%) requested dangerous access permissions, including access to storage, media files, and the camera. The average security score of the included apps was 3.22, while only 2 apps provided information about data security and privacy. The included apps achieved an overall average quality score of 3.27, with individual dimension scores of 4.75 for functionality, 3.04 for information, 3.00 for aesthetics, and 2.32 for engagement. CONCLUSIONS The limited availability of breast cancer apps available to Arabic speakers should be a call to action and prompt health care organizations and developers to join forces and collaboratively develop information-rich, usable, functional, engaging, and secure apps.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dari Alhuwail
- Information Science Department, College of Life Sciences, Kuwait University, Sabah AlSalem University City, Kuwait
- Health Informatics Unit, Dasman Diabetes Institute, Dasman, Kuwait
| | - Aisha Alhouti
- Information Science Department, College of Life Sciences, Kuwait University, Sabah AlSalem University City, Kuwait
| | - Latifah Alsarhan
- Information Science Department, College of Life Sciences, Kuwait University, Sabah AlSalem University City, Kuwait
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Jobran AWM, Banat MA, Awad BY, Warasna HJ, Taqatqa YR, Jawabreh M, Abualrub YR, Brimo Alsaman MZ, Owais TA, Salman S. Breast cancer knowledge and practice of breast self-examination among Palestinian female, West Bank: A cross-sectional study. Health Sci Rep 2023; 6:e1678. [PMID: 37927537 PMCID: PMC10620115 DOI: 10.1002/hsr2.1678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Revised: 10/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Worldwide, breast cancer (BC) is the most frequently discovered tumor in women. Breast self-examination (BSE) is a helpful screening method that gives women more control over their bodies by educating them about the structures of their breasts and assisting in the early detection of any developing breast abnormalities. The purpose of this research was to assess Palestinian girls' degree of BSE awareness and practice. Method A self-administered questionnaire was used to gauge participants' knowledge about BC and associated topics. Through an online survey, all girls above the age of 20 are encouraged to take part in the study. Female university students at academic levels I, II, III, and IV in Palestine were also invited to participate in the study by way of an online survey. Results The study included 467 female participants, with 69% of the individuals being single. The majority of females (68.7%) scored poorly on knowledge of BC disease (possible risk, methods of detection, methods of diagnosis, methods of treatment, signs and symptoms, information about mammography, and other knowledge questions), whereas only 31.7% scored well. Conclusion BC, which is thought to be the most common malignant development among them and the second leading cause of cancer mortality, is one of the issues that women in the West Bank face. Screening methods are crucial for the early detection of BC and for lowering disease-related morbidity and mortality. It has been advised that starting at age 20, every woman should take the BSE.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Mohamad A. Banat
- Faculty of MedicinePalestine Polytechnic UniversityHebronPalestine
| | | | - Haya J. Warasna
- Faculty of MedicinePalestine Polytechnic UniversityHebronPalestine
| | | | - Mahmoud Jawabreh
- Faculty of MedicinePalestine Polytechnic UniversityHebronPalestine
| | | | | | | | - Saif Salman
- Departments of Neurological Surgery, Neurology and Critical CareMayo ClinicJacksonvilleFloridaUSA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Ahmed H, Mushahid H. Overcoming challenges to breast cancer screening among Muslim women: addressing barriers to early detection and treatment: A correspondence. Cancer Causes Control 2023; 34:505-507. [PMID: 37022632 DOI: 10.1007/s10552-023-01693-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2023]
Abstract
Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths and is the most common type of cancer diagnosed in women. In an attempt to decrease its mortality, screening guidelines recommend mammograms, breast self-examinations, and breast clinical examinations for women above the age of 40. Compliance to these guidelines have been found to be significantly low in Muslim women which has been linked to their perceptions of religious guidelines regarding modesty and fatalism. In order to overcome these barriers and increase screening rates among Muslim women, faith-based intervention has been proven to be effective as it incorporates the use of religious leaders and allows the concerns of women to be addressed directly.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Huda Ahmed
- Dow Medical College, Dow University of Health Sciences, Baba-E-Urdu Road, Karachi, Pakistan.
| | - Hasan Mushahid
- Dow Medical College, Dow University of Health Sciences, Baba-E-Urdu Road, Karachi, Pakistan
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Alananzeh I, Green H, Meedya S, Chan A, Chang HC(R, Yan Z, Fernandez R. Sexual activity and cancer: A systematic review of prevalence, predictors and information needs among female Arab cancer survivors. Eur J Cancer Care (Engl) 2022; 31:e13644. [PMID: 35816027 PMCID: PMC9786682 DOI: 10.1111/ecc.13644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2020] [Revised: 02/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The objective of this review is to synthesise and present the best available evidence on the prevalence, predictors and information needs about sexual health among female Arab cancer survivors. METHODS The databases searched included MEDLINE, Embase and CINAHL from inception of the database until March 2020. The review was undertaken according to the JBI guidelines. Proportional meta-analysis using a random effects model was used for statistical pooling through JBI SUMARI. RESULTS Seven studies involving female Arab cancer survivors were included in the review. The overall prevalence of sexual dysfunction ranged from 16.7 to 67% (pooled estimate 51%, 95% CIs 21.7% to 80.2%). Dyspareunia and erectile dysfunction were the two main types of sexual dysfunction reported after diagnosis, and the overall prevalence ranged from 42.5% to 65% and 38% to 61%, respectively. The prevalence of vaginal dryness was ranged from 19.8% to 54.2%, and dyspareunia ranged from 22.2% to 65%. The lack of sexuality information and communication with health care providers (HCPs) was also reported in the included studies. CONCLUSION Cancer and its treatment may result in significant difficulties with sexual activity and sexual functioning among cancer survivor. Communication between the health care professionals and cancer survivors is essential to overcome this problem and improve the quality of life of female Arab cancer survivors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ibrahim Alananzeh
- School of Nursing and MidwiferyUniversity of WollongongLiverpoolNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Heidi Green
- Centre for Research in Nursing and HealthSt George HospitalKogarahNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Shahla Meedya
- School of Nursing and MidwiferyUniversity of WollongongLiverpoolNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Alex Chan
- School of Nursing and MidwiferyUniversity of WollongongLiverpoolNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Hui Chen (Rita) Chang
- School of Nursing and MidwiferyUniversity of WollongongLiverpoolNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Zhoumei Yan
- School of Nursing and MidwiferyUniversity of WollongongLiverpoolNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Ritin Fernandez
- School of NursingUniversity of WollongongWollongongNew South WalesAustralia
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Abdel-Salam DM, Mohamed RA, Alyousef HY, Almasoud WA, Alanzi MB, Mubarak AZ, Osman DM. Perceived Barriers and Awareness of Mammography Screening Among Saudi Women Attending Primary Health Centers. Risk Manag Healthc Policy 2020; 13:2553-2561. [PMID: 33209065 PMCID: PMC7670172 DOI: 10.2147/rmhp.s277375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Mammography screening (MS) is an underutilized screening tool; although it is provided free of charge to the Saudi community. The present study aimed at assessing knowledge and barriers of mammography screening among women attending primary health centers in Aljouf region, Saudi Arabia. MATERIALS AND METHODS A cross-sectional study was carried out among 423 women aged 41-75 years attending ten primary health centers in Aljouf region, Saudi Arabia. Structured interviewing questionnaires were used for data collection. SPSS program, version 24 was used for data analysis. RESULTS The least reported risk factors of BC in this study were early menarche (14.9%), first pregnancy after the age of 30 years (18%), and late menopause (18.7%). Concerning knowledge of MS, 50.8% of the women correctly identified that mammogram is the ideal method for detecting BC. The most encountered personal barriers towards MS were lack of information about mammogram (69.5%), fear of exposure to radiation (67.4%), fear of discovery of BC (62.9%), being busy all the time (62.2%), and fear of cancer treatment (61.9%). Regarding economic barriers, 40% of the participants reported that taking sick leave from work is difficult while 37.8% revealed that mammogram is costly. Concerning health system barriers, the most common barriers were fear of error in diagnosis (62.6%), long time to take medical appointment (57%), and preferring not to have a mammogram except after a doctor recommendation (52.7%). The present study showed that women's education and residence significantly predicted their knowledge. Furthermore, women's education and income significantly predicted their barriers towards MS. CONCLUSION Many barriers toward mammography screening were encountered in the present study. Addressing these barriers and raising awareness about MS may be of great value to increase its uptake by Saudi women.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Doaa M Abdel-Salam
- Family and Community Medicine Department, College of Medicine, Jouf University, Aljouf 42421, Saudi Arabia.,Public Health and Community Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut 71526, Egypt
| | - Rehab A Mohamed
- Family Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia 41522, Egypt
| | - Hind Y Alyousef
- College of Medicine, Jouf University, Aljouf 42421, Saudi Arabia
| | - Wahaj A Almasoud
- College of Medicine, Jouf University, Aljouf 42421, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mashael B Alanzi
- College of Medicine, Jouf University, Aljouf 42421, Saudi Arabia
| | - Atheer Z Mubarak
- College of Medicine, Jouf University, Aljouf 42421, Saudi Arabia
| | - Doaa M Osman
- Public Health and Community Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut 71526, Egypt
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Abu Awwad D, Hossain SZ, Mackey M, Brennan P, Adam S. Women's Breast Cancer Knowledge and Health Communication in the United Arab Emirates. Healthcare (Basel) 2020; 8:healthcare8040495. [PMID: 33218122 PMCID: PMC7711768 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare8040495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2020] [Revised: 11/05/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), women’s participation in breast cancer screening is low, and women are commonly diagnosed in advanced stages. This study investigated women’s attitudes towards breast cancer screening, their use of health services in the UAE emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, and their preferred medium for breast cancer information. In this qualitative study, six focus groups were conducted with Emirati (n = 28) and non-Emirati (n = 26) women as Ras Al Khaimah is a highly multi-cultural region. Women were separated into different age groups (25–34, 30–44, 44+) so as to obtain perspectives of young (n = 16), middle (n = 19), and older women (n = 19). The focus group transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis. Women recognised that any breast change should be checked by a doctor, and that women with symptoms or those at higher risk may need to have breast screening earlier than the recommended starting age. However, participants wanted more information from doctors or other health personnel. Women had observed breast cancer information and campaigns advertisements in multiple media but recommended greater use of social media and WhatsApp to disseminate information. Overall, women had positive attitudes towards breast cancer screening but wanted more breast cancer awareness campaigns year-round and better access to screening.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dania Abu Awwad
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia; (D.A.); (M.M.); (P.B.)
| | - Syeda Zakia Hossain
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia; (D.A.); (M.M.); (P.B.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +61-2-9351-9340
| | - Martin Mackey
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia; (D.A.); (M.M.); (P.B.)
| | - Patrick Brennan
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia; (D.A.); (M.M.); (P.B.)
| | - Shukri Adam
- College of Nursing, Ras Al Khaimah Medical & Health Sciences University, Al Qusaidat, UAE;
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Alsareii SA, Alqahtani SM, Alamri AM, Al-Wadei HH, Al-Ammari SA, Al-Qahtani AM, Abu-Zaid A. Awareness of Breast Cancer among Female Students and Faculty from Najran University, Najran, Saudi Arabia. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev 2020; 21:1415-1422. [PMID: 32458650 PMCID: PMC7541878 DOI: 10.31557/apjcp.2020.21.5.1415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Breast cancer (BC) is the leading malignancy among women in Najran, Saudi Arabia. However, not much is known about the public’s awareness of BC. This study explored the general knowledge, early warning signs, risk factors and sources of information about BC. Methods: An online-based, anonymous, self-rating, cross-sectional and survey-based study was conducted from March-2019 to April-2019. Three-hundred female students and/or faculty from College of Medicine, Najran University (Najran, Saudi Arabia) participated in the study. Results: A total of 232 students (77.3%) and 68 faculty (22.7%) responded to the survey. Our study showed that nulliparity (83.8%) and early menarche before 12 years of age (29.7%) were the most pertinent obstetric risk factors of BC. Conversely, lack of physical activity (66.3%) and family history of BC (18%) were the most substantial non-obstetric risk factors of BC. According to pre-defined criteria, while the surveyed research subjects demonstrated ‘good’ general knowledge about BC (75.3%), they unfavorably exhibited ‘poor’ knowledge about the warning signs of BC (94.3%). The predictors of ‘good’ overall knowledge (general knowledge plus signs knowledge about BC) included age, marital status, educational level and family history (all p<0.05, two-tailed Chi-square test). Apart from the campaigns’ educational materials (43%), the top source of knowledge about BC was internet (33%), whereas the lowest ones were healthcare professionals (11.3%) and training workshops (7.3%). Conclusions: The surveyed research subjects harbored risk factors of BC and demonstrated ‘poor’ knowledge about the warning early signs of BC. We call for rigorous and well-crafted educational campaigns geared toward improving the awareness level of BC among women in Najran province.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Saeed Ali Alsareii
- Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, Najran University, Najran, Saudi Arabia
| | | | | | - Hajr Hassan Al-Wadei
- Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, Najran University, Najran, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Awad Mohammed Al-Qahtani
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, Najran University, Najran, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmed Abu-Zaid
- College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.,College of Graduate Health Sciences, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, United States
| |
Collapse
|