Breast self-examination practice and associated factors among women aged 20–70 years attending public health institutions of Adwa town, North Ethiopia

• Main Authors: Mebrahtu Abay, Gemechis Tuke, Eleni Zewdie, Teklehaymanot Huluf Abraha, Teklit Grum, Ermyas Brhane
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2018-08-01
• Series: BMC Research Notes
• Subjects: Breast self-examination; Practice; Women; 20–70 years; Adwa; Ethiopia
• Online Access: http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13104-018-3731-9

Abstract Objective Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide. The incidence of breast has been increasing in most regions of the world. Regular breast self-examination is one of the most cost-effective methods for early detection of breast cancer in asymptomatic women. Despite this fact, breast self-examination practice remains low in Ethiopia. Therefore, the aim of this study is to assess breast self-examination practice and associated factors among women aged 20–70 years attending public health institutions of Adwa town, North Ethiopia. Results From the total study participants, only 26 (6.5%) of them had ever practice breast self-examination, and only 25 (6.25%) of them practice breast self-examination regularly. Being a government employee (AOR = 0.22, 95% CI = 0.071–0.683), having good perceived confidence to do breast self-examination (AOR = 5.32, 95% CI = 1.89–14.95) and having perceived good susceptibility to develop breast cancer (AOR = 3.79, 95% CI = 1.74–9.74) were the factors significantly associated with breast self-examination. Breast self-examination practice among the study participants was low. Therefore, informing every woman is susceptible to breast cancer, improving the confidence of women is recommended to increase breast self-examination practice.