title: An exploration of rural and urban Kenyan women's knowledge and attitudes regarding breast cancer and breast cancer early detection measures.
abstract: Many women in Kenya with breast cancer symptoms do not seek medical attention until their cancer is very advanced, leading to high mortality rates and a heavy cancer burden on the nation. In this study we employed eight focus groups with low- and middle-income rural and urban Kenyan women to explore their knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors concerning breast cancer and its early detection measures. Topics for discussion were derived from the components of the Health Belief Model (HBM). Findings revealed a huge divide between urban middle-income women and all other groups with respect to knowledge of breast cancer and early detection measures. In addition, women viewed breast cancer as a highly severe disease. Perceived benefits of early detection measures centered around preparing themselves for what was assumed to be inevitable death.
authors.affiliation: Nicholson School of Communication, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida, USA.
authors.forename: Ann
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Muthoni
authors.forename: Ann Neville
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Miller
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D044383:Black People; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology; D016504:Breast Self-Examination; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D054624:Health Status Disparities; D006801:Humans; D007630:Kenya; D008327:Mammography; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012424:Rural Population; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014505:Urban Population