Knowledge, attitude and practice of a Pakistani female cohort towards breast cancer.
OBJECTIVE
To note knowledge, attitude and practices of females towards breast cancer.


METHODS
This KAP study was carried out at Holy Family Hospital, Rawalpindi from January to May, 2009. One thousand randomly selected adult females presenting as patients (excluding those with breast complaints) and their accompanying attendants were inducted and interviewed. Pre tested, structured questionnaire, containing 34 (open and closed ended) questions, along with demographic profile was used to gather data which was analyzed using SPSS version 13. Chi square test was applied at 5% level as test of significance.


RESULTS
Mean age of participants was 32.39 +/-10.47 years. Majority were married (88%), housewives (88%), and urban dwellers (75%) with average household income of Rupees 3000-6000 (33%). Majority (82.9%, n=829) had heard of breast cancer. Further questions were asked from these females. More than 50% participants were aware of cancer's relationship with increasing age, lack of breast feeding, painless lump, obesity, and smoking. Except for breast lump, over 50% participants had knowledge about breast cancer symptoms. >50% subjects had knowledge about diagnostic modalities, treatment and its relation with outcome. Majority (>90%) had positive attitude and intended to see a doctor immediately if they ever felt a breast lump, but had poor (28.3%) practices regarding breast self examination.


CONCLUSIONS
Majority of study participants had limited knowledge, poor practices, but positive attitude towards breast cancer.
Rawalpindi Medical College, Rawalpindi/Holy Family Hospital, Rawalpindi.
Sara Ijaz
SI
Gilani
Muhammad
M
Khurram
Tooba
T
Mazhar
Sarah Tabir
ST
Mir
Sana
S
Ali
Sofia
S
Tariq
Asif Zafar
AZ
Malik
D000328:Adult; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016504:Breast Self-Examination; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D017533:Marital Status; D010154:Pakistan / Q000453:epidemiology; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires