Knowledge, attitude and screening practices of breast cancer among female school teachers in selected schools in Batticaloa Educational Zone

Abstract

Breast cancer is the most frequent cancer of women worldwide as well as in Sri Lanka. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the occurrence of breast cancer is also increasing. Breast cancer is often curable, if detected early. The study aim was to assess the knowledge, attitude and screening practices of breast cancer among female school teachers in selected schools in Batticaloa educational zone. A Cross Sectional Descriptive Study was conducted among 174 female teachers in selected schools in 3 divisions of the Batticaloa educational zone, including Manmunai North, Eravur Pattu-1 and Manmunai Pattu. The study period was from October, 2019 to September, 2020. Samples were selected with simple random sampling method and self – administered questionnaires were used to collect the data. Statistical Package of Social Science 19 (SPSS V. 19) was used for entering, analyzing and interpreting the data. The association of knowledge variables on socio-demographical factors was assessed by chi–squared test. Total of 174 participants were recruited for this study. Only 1.7% of participants had high knowledge on risk factors, signs and symptoms and treatment of breast cancer. Even though majority of participants have heard of breast self- examination (90.8%), clinical breast examination (87.9%) and mammography (62.6%), only 0.6% of participants scored high knowledge on breast cancer screening. The general attitude of breast cancer occurrence was positive in the study population while attitudes about barriers for participation of breast cancer screening practices were poor. The age, educational level and teaching experience were significantly associated with increased knowledge on breast cancer. The knowledge on breast cancer and its screening methods were poor among the female teachers and it is recommended a greater focused on related education programs to improve the knowledge change misconceptions about breast cancer and to avoid barriers related screening practice of breast cancer.