Abstract
Background: Early detection of breast cancer plays an important role in decreasing morbidity and mortality associated with breast cancer. Breast self-examination (BSE) is one of the screening methods for early detection of breast cancer. BSE involves the woman herself looking at and feeling each breast for possible lumps, distortions or swelling. BSE is a simple exercise which can potentially save the life of a woman but it is not well focused yet. So, this study was aimed to assess breast Self-Examination and associated factors among women in Wolaita Sodo city, Ethiopia. Methods: Community based cross-sectional study design was employed. Systematic random sampling technique was used to select 626 women aged 20-65 years old. The data were collected using pre-tested and structured questionnaire. The data was entered using Epi data version 3.5.1 and exported to SPSS version 21 software for statistical analysis. Bivariable and multiple logistic regression analysis were done.Variables with P-value less than 0.05 were considered as statically significant. Results: A total of 629 women were included in the study. More than half (60.9%) of the participants were in the age range of 20-29 years. Women who had mentioned BSE as method for early detection of breast problem were 6.36 times (AOR: 6.36, 95% CI :( 3.72, 10.71) more likely to perform BSE than those who say that they don’t know any method. Women breast feed 13-24 months were 2.43 times AOR: 2.43, 95% CI :( 1.28, 4.59) more likely to examine their breast than those who breast feed different duration. Employed women were 3.13 times more likely AOR: 3.13 95% CI :( 1.14, 8.58) to practice BSE than women not employed. Likewise being student was 3.73 times AOR: 3.73, 95% CI (1.19, 11.73) more likely to perform BSE than others. Conclusion: The finding of this study showed that women’s practice of breast self-examination is relatively low. Knowledge of BSE, breast feeding 13-24 months, being employed and being student were factors affecting performing breast self-examination. Therefore, educating girls and increasing awareness on electronics media is important.
Breast self-examination and associated factors among women in Wolaita sodo city, Ethiopia: Community based cross sectional study
