Factors Influencing Breast Cancer Screening Among Female Clinicians At The Ga West And Ga South Municipal Hospitals In Accra

ABSTRACT Background: Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women worldwide. Early detection has an important role on prevention of breast cancer. Early detection is achieved through breast cancer screening. Objective: To assess the knowledge of breast cancer and breast cancer screening practices, and evaluate the health beliefs of the female clinicians in the Ga West and Ga South municipal hospitals. Method: This is a cross sectional study in two municipal hospitals in the Accra metropolitan area. The study participants comprise 283 female clinicians. Data was collected with the use of a structured questionnaire between May and June 2019. The questionnaire comprises demographic data, knowledge about risk factors, signs and symptoms, breast cancer screening practices, and assessment of the health beliefs of the participants using the health belief model. Results: The median age of the participants was 27± 7 years. About 41% of the participants had poor knowledge about risk factors. Approximately 15% had poor knowledge about the signs and symptoms of breast cancer. 95.4% of participant knew about Breast Self Examination (BSE), 68.9% knew about Clinical Breast Examination (CBE), and 54.1% knew about mammogram. The proportions that practiced BSE, CBE and Mammogram screening were 77.4%, 21.6% and 1.1% respectively. Occupation (2=17,p=0.001) was significantly associated with BSE practice. Marital status (2=8.9,p=0.030) and Income level (2=7.1,p=0.028) were associated with CBE practice. Income level (2=6.6,p=0.036) was significantly associated with mammogram practice. Concerning the health beliefs of the participants, about 54% have low self-efficacy, 45% have low perceived benefits, 49% have low perceived barriers, and 55% have low perceived susceptibility. Perceived benefits ((2=12.3,p=0.000) and perceived barriers ((2=17.7,p=0.000) were associated with BSE. There was no association between the practice of Clinical breast exam and Mammogram and the health belief constructs. Conclusion: The results suggest the need for continuing professional studies for all clinicians to enhance the knowledge and health beliefs of the clinicians regarding Breast cancer screening.