title: Breast cancer knowledge, attitudes and practices among Nepalese women.
abstract: Although Nepal has an epidemic of early-onset, aggressive, advanced breast cancer, breast cancer knowledge and screening practices of Nepalese women have not been assessed. This paper summarises the results of a physician-administrated survey of gynaecologic inpatients (n= 100) admitted between 1 December 2009 and 31 January 2010 at a Nepalese University. Mean knowledge score of the participants was 65%, significantly higher among highly educated women (P= 0.008), professionals (P= 0.014) and women counselled during medical visits (P= 0.030). Study participants, including highly educated women, had many misconceptions. This included lack of awareness of painless nature and non-lump symptoms of breast cancer as well as the belief that traditional health care can be curative. The majority of participants were unaware of clinical breast examination (68%) and mammography (56%). Only 10% of the participants had undergone breast evaluation in the last 2 years. The practice of breast evaluation was more common among Buddhists (P= 0.043), and women counselled during medical visits (P < 0.001), with high economic status (P= 0.022), higher education (P= 0.013) and a family history of breast cancer (P= 0.049). Counselling during medical visits and higher education level were associated with better knowledge of and screening practices for breast cancer in the studied population.
authors.affiliation: Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Staten Island University Hospital, Staten Island, NY 10305, USA. vrbhatta@gmail.com
authors.forename: V R
authors.initials: VR
authors.lastname: Bhatt
authors.forename: R V
authors.initials: RV
authors.lastname: Wetz
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Shrestha
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Shrestha
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Shah
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sayami
authors.forename: C K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Gurung
authors.forename: K F
authors.initials: KF
authors.lastname: Weiserbs
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology*; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009390:Nepal; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014930:Women / Q000523:psychology*