Practice of Breast Self-Examination among Female Health Care Professionals in Maichew Town Health Facilities, Tigray, Ethiopia: Institution Based Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Breast cancer is among the major life-threatening public health concerns and its incidence is increasing worldwide. Breast self-exam (BSE) is commendation for all women starting in their 20s to know how their breasts normally look and feel like and to notice any changes occur. They should be told about its benefits and limitations too. It is an important procedure in the early detection of breast cancer. It is estimated that 90% of breast cancer cases could be diagnosed if women used BSE to assesses the practice of breast self-examination among female health care professionals in Maichew town health facilities. An institution based cross-sectional study was conducted from Feb 03-June 30/2014 G.C. Among 108 female healthcare professionals in Maichew town health facilities using self-administered questionnaire and data was analyzed using SPSS V.16 and results presented with simple descriptive tables and texts. Out of the total respondents, 44 (42.3%) practice BSE and only 25 (24%) practice breast self-examination on a monthly basis. And 58.7% of the participants are found to be aware of breast self-examination based on our descriptive analysis of our data. The findings of this study indicate that there is a poor practice of breast self-examination among Maichew town female health care professionals. Based on our study, we strongly recommend to the town health bureau together with the Ministry of Health, to provide guidelines and trainings on the self-examination.

Keywords: Breast self-examination, female healthcare professionals, Maichew town, practice

Cite this Article

Mihretab Abedom, Fiseha Girma, Teklemariam G/her et al. Practice of Breast Self-Examination Among Female Health Care Professionals in Maichew Town Health Facilities, Tigray, Ethiopia: Institution Based Cross-Sectional Study. Research and Reviews: Journal of Oncology and Hematology. 2016; 5(1): 30–37p.