Level of Knowledge and Behavior of Family Health Personnel Workers in Izmir about Early Diagnosis for Breast and Cervix Cancer

Abstract

Purpose: The present study was carried out to measure knowledge level and behavior of family health personnel(FHP) in Izmir on early diagnosis of breast and cervical cancers. Materials and <br/><b>Methods</b>: The study populationof this cross-sectional study was not selected. A questionnaire was applied to all FHP to measure knowledgelevel and behavior about cancer. The participation rate was 88%. Breast examination, mammography analysis,Papanicolaou smear applications were determined as dependent variables, and knowledge level about breast andcervical cancer, age, professional time as FHP as independent variables. Data were evaluated using definitivestatistics, chi-square and logistic regression tests in SPSS software package for Windows 15.0. <br/><b>Results</b>: A totalof 970 family health personnel participated in the research. The age range was 20-45 years (82.4%). Mean agewas 37.9±7.4. Response rate was 87.3%. Of the participants, 88.4% performed breast self-examination. Rate ofperforming mammography at least once was 24.1%. Rate of performing Pap-smear examination at least oncewas 61.0%. In logistic regression analyses, it was determined that people with knowledge on breast and cervicalcancer were those performing breast self-examination, mammography and Pap-smear examinations (p<0.05.<br/><b>Conclusions</b>: It is essential that the knowledge, behavior and manners of health providers on early diagnosis forcancer increases awareness in the general population and provides information on execution ofthe most effectivemethods for generating a healthy society.