title: Breast cancer screening among women of child-bearing age.
abstract: We explored behavioral factors that contributed to late presentation of breast cancer. A cross-sectional survey of 120 women of child-bearing age was employed, and data were collected using interviewer-administered questionnaires addressing predisposing, enabling, and reinforcing factors associated with breast cancer screening. A total of 53.5% knew what breast cancer screening was; breast self-exam was the most commonly known form of screening, although only 7.5% practiced it. Lack of awareness (p =.004) and the knowledge of someone who previously had breast cancer (p =.0004) were prominent predictors for breast cancer screening, leading to either delay in or early presentation of the condition, respectively.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Community Medicine, College of Health Sciences , University of Zimbabwe , Harare , Zimbabwe.
authors.forename: Daphne
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Munyaradzi
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: January
authors.forename: Julita
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Maradzika
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D016504:Breast Self-Examination / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008327:Mammography / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010465:Perception; D012307:Risk Factors; D012424:Rural Population; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014505:Urban Population; D055815:Young Adult; D015030:Zimbabwe