Knowledge of Risk Factors & Early Detection Methods and Practices towards Breast Cancer among Nurses in Indira Gandhi Medical College, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, India

Abstract

<b>Background:</b> Breast cancer is an increasing health problem in India. Screening for early detection should leadto a reduction in mortality from the disease. It is known that motivation by nurses influences uptake of screeningmethods by women. This study aimed to investigate knowledge of breast cancer risk factors & early detectionmethods and the practice of screening among nurses in Indira Gandhi Medical College, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh.Materials and <br/><b>Methods</b>: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a self-administered questionnaire to assessthe knowledge of breast cancer risk factors, early detection methods and practice of screening methods among457 nurses working in a Indira Gandhi Medical College, Shimla-H.P. Chi square test, Data was analysed usingSPSS version 16. Test of significance used was chi square test. <br/><b>Results</b>: The response rate of the study was 94.9%.The average knowledge of risk factors about breast cancer of the entire population is 49%. 10.5% of nurses hadpoor knowledge, 25.2% of the nurses had good knowledge, 45% had very good knowledge and 16.3% of thenurses had excellent knowledge about risk factors of breast cancer and early detection methods. The knowledgelevel was significantly higher among BSC nurses than nurses with Diploma. 54% of participants in this studyreportedly practice BSE at least once every year. Less than one-third reported that they had CBE within thepast one year. 7% ever had mammogram before this study. <br/><b>Conclusions</b>: Results from this study suggest thefrequent continuing medical education programmes on breast cancer at institutional level is desirable.