BREAST CANCER RISK PREVALENCE, PERCEPTIONS AND PREVENTIVE PRACTICES AMONG FEMALE HEALTH WORKERS AND MARKET WOMEN IN IBADAN, OYO STATE: A COMPARATIVE STUDY

Abstract

As the high prevalence of risk factors for breast cancer gains increasing global attention, a woman's perception of her risk of developing breast cancer plays a vital role in determining her willingness to participate in preventive measures. This study aimed to determine and compare breast cancer risk prevalence, perception and preventive practices among female health workers and market women in Ibadan, Oyo State. A comparative cross sectional study comprising of 336 consenting female health workers at the University College hospital and 342 consenting market women in Aleshinloye market in Ibadan, Oyo state was carried out. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to obtain information on demographic characteristics, breast cancer awareness and knowledge, preventive practices, prevalence of breast cancer risk factors and risk perception of breast cancer. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics, Independent t-test, Chisquare test and logistic regression at p<0.05. The overall mean age of all respondents was 39.9 ±9.9 years [health workers 39.4 ±8.0 and market women 40.4 ±11.4]. The proportion of respondents among health workers and market women who were aware of SBE, CBE and mammography as breast cancer screening methods were (51.9% vs 48.1%), (51.5% vs 48.5%) and (63.9% vs 36.1%), respectively. Overall mean knowledge score of breast cancer was significantly higher among health workers (31.1 ±5.9) compared to market women (22.60±6.5), p<0.001. The proportion of health workers who perceived their risk of developing breast cancer as "not at all" or "rarely" (52.1 %) was higher than the market women (47.9%). The proportion of respondents who practised SBE was similar among both health workers and market women (58.5% vs 41.5%), whereas practice of CBE and mammography were significantly higher among health workers compared to market women [86.0% vs 14.0% and 80.8% vs 19.2% respectively). A significant association was found between risk perception and breast cancer worry in both study group (Health workers: OR=0.20, CI=0. l 0-0.4 l and market women: OR=0.05, CI=0.02-0. 10). Respondents with family history of breast cancer were five times more likely to have practised CBE than those with no family history among health workers (OR=5.24, CI=1.15-24.01) while among women, practice of CBE was associated with attendance at training programs (OR=12.00, CI=1.57-91.67). Mammography practice among health workers was significantly associated with urban location of residence (OR=0.35, CI=0.12-0.97). The high awareness and good knowledge of breast cancer and its screening methods found in this study did not translate into practice of the screening methods among the female health workers. Interventions aimed at imparting positive attitude so as to enhance practice should be directed to both health workers and market women.