Knowledge, attitudes and behaviours of women regarding breast and cervical cancer in Malatya, Turkey

Survey of awareness and beliefs about cancer (ABC) in Tehran Province, Iran

INTRODUCTION

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices are essential measures for planning and evaluating cancer control programs. Little is known about these in Iran.

METHODS

We conducted a population-based interview survey of adults aged 30-70 using the Farsi version of the Awareness and Beliefs about Cancer questionnaire in the capital province of Tehran, Iran, 2019. We calculated weighted estimates of levels of cancer knowledge, attitudes, and practices to allow for different selection probabilities and nonresponse. We used multivariate logistic regression to understand demographic factors associated with bowel, cervix, and breast screening practices.

RESULTS

We interviewed 736 men and 744 women. The mean number of recalled cancer warning signs was less than one; 57.7% could not recall any cancer warning signs. Participants recognized 5.6 out of 11 early cancer warning signs and 8.8 of 13 cancer risk factors. Most (82.7%) did not know that HPV infection was a cancer risk factor. Approximately, half had negative attitudes towards cancer treatment, but over 80% had positive attitudes towards the effectiveness of screening for improving survival. Colorectal, breast, and cervical screening rates were 24%, 42%, and 49%, respectively. Higher socioeconomic status increased the odds of taking up screening for cancer. Women aged 60-70 were less likely to report taking up breast and cervical screening than younger women.

DISCUSSION

The Iranian population has poor awareness and negative attitudes about cancer, and participation in screening programs is low. Public awareness and early detection of cancer should be promoted in Iran.

Evaluation of Breast Self-examination Training in Turkish Women Living in Northwestern Turkey

Introduction

Breast cancer (BC) is one of the most significant health problems among the women. Breast self-examination (BSE) is an examination method which is used by women to detect breast cancer as much early as possible. Training of women about BSE is crucial.

Methods

The current study was semi-experimentally single-group pretest-posttest designed in order to evaluate breast self-examination (BSE) training efficacy on Turkish women's knowledge and skills. The study was performed on 119 Turkish women. The data were collected with a three questionnaires and BSE Training Skills Evaluation Form in three phases.

Results

81.5% of the women did not perform BSE regularly. Rate of correct responses about knowledge on BC, risk factors and screening increased after posttest. Significant improvements were observed in the post-test (after training, after one month and three months training) scores for knowledge of Turkish women' towards BC, risk factors and screening, steps of BSE after the intervention (p < 0.001). To quantify the efficiency of training, effect size (Cohen's d) was derived. For knowledge and ability to do BSE scores, Cohen's d was 1,01 ≤ with large effect size indicating highly effective impact of the training.

Conclusions

It seems that BSE training is beneficial in women. However, women should receive regular BSE training to renew their knowledge and skills. Long follow-up is required.

Breast Self-Examination: Knowledge and Practice Among Female Textile Workers in Vietnam

Breast self-examination (BSE) is a simple, feasible, and suitable method for breast cancer screening in low–middle setting countries. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge and practice of BSE among female textile workers in Vietnam. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1036 female workers, aged 43.9 ± 3.1 years old, who were working in 4 textile enterprises in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, in 2016. Overall, 22.7% of participants showed sufficient knowledge on BSE; 15.2% performed monthly BSE; and 7.7% completely performed all 5 steps of BSE. The prevalence of insufficient BSE knowledge was higher among participants with low level of education (odds ratio [OR]: 1.71; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.22-2.39, below vs above secondary school), and those whose husbands were farmers or workers (OR: 1.76; 95% CI: 1.27-2.45, compared to other sectors). This prevalence was, however, negatively associated with receiving information on BSE (OR: 0.16; 95% CI: 0.11-0.23, yes vs no). The prevalence of insufficient BSE practice was also higher among females with husbands who were farmers or workers (OR: 1.67; 95% CI: 1.15-2.43, compared to other sectors). In contrast, it was much lower among participants who had history of breast-related diseases (OR: 0.46; 95% CI: 0.24-0.88, yes vs no), received BSE information (OR: 0.13; 95% CI: 0.08-0.19, yes vs no), and had sufficient overall BSE knowledge (OR: 0.09; 95% CI: 0.06-0.13, yes vs no), compared to those who did not. There was a low prevalence of sufficient BSE knowledge (22.7%) and practice (15.8%) among female textile workers in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Low level of education and not being provided BSE information were associated with insufficient BSE knowledge and practice among Vietnamese female textile workers. Health education programs are essential to encourage and improve women’s knowledge and practice of BSE.

Knowledge and perception of female nursing students about human papillomavirus (HPV), cervical cancer, and attitudes toward HPV vaccination

Objective: The researchers aimed to evaluate the knowledge and perceptions of first-year female nursing students about human papillomavirus (HPV), cervical cancer (CC), and HPV vaccination. Participants: The sample included 690 female nursing students from sampled universities between April and June 2015. Methods: Students were surveyed by using a pretested HPV and CC awareness questionnaire. Results: More than half of the students (65.1%) answered questions incorrectly with a mean HPV knowledge score of 6.085 ± 3.38. The majority of students (82.6%) did not hear HPV vaccine. Only, 2.8% of the students had been vaccinated. A statistically significant relationship was found between HPV knowledge score and hearing about HPV vaccine (U = 28280.500, p = .015), and believing HPV vaccine protectiveness (χ² = 14.153, p = .001). Conclusions: This study highlights the lack of knowledge and low level of awareness about HPV, CC, and HPV vaccination among first-year nursing college students.