Awareness, Knowledge and Utilisation of Breast Cancer Screening among Women of Reproductive Age in Keffi, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: In 2022 alone, the World Health Organisation estimated that breast cancer caused 670000 deaths globally. Breast cancer is a significant public health concern worldwide. It is a disease in which abnormal breast cells grow out of control and form tumours. It is the main cause of cancer-related death in women in developing countries. In Nigeria, breast cancer is one of the most prevalent types of cancer. Each year, about 250,000 cases of breast cancer are seen, with close to 10,000 fatalities being reported. There are also varying indices regarding the knowledge, awareness, and screening practices among women of reproductive age across the country. Aim: The current study aimed to assess the level of awareness, knowledge, and utilisation of breast cancer screening among women of reproductive age accessing selected health facilities in Keffi, Nasarawa State, Nigeria, to inform strategies that could improve screening uptake and reduce the breast cancer burden. Method: A questionnaire‐based cross-sectional study collecting data involving 386 women aged 15–49 years attending selected health facilities in Keffi metropolis of Nasarawa State, Nigeria, from May 2023 to July 2023, using a simple random sampling technique. The data obtained in this study were analysed using descriptive statistics and the chi-square test. Results: The level of awareness of breast cancer screening showed that 85.0% have good awareness, while 15.0% have poor awareness. Regarding breast screening practices, 86.0% of the respondents have done breast self-examination (BSE) before, while 14.0% have never done BSE. Furthermore, 66.3% have never undergone clinical breast examination (CBE), and 80.3% have never had mammography. There was a statistically significant relationship between awareness and level of education (X²: 8.33; P< 0.05) and employment status (X²: 10.56; P<0.05). Furthermore, a statistically significant association was found between respondents’ awareness of breast cancer and screening practices such as breast self-examination (X²: 6.14; P<0.05) and mammography (X²: 4.23; P<0.05). Conclusion: This study shows that while women in Keffi metropolis have a good awareness of breast cancer screening, their knowledge and utilisation of screening for breast cancer were poor. Therefore, the need to promote screening awareness, provide access, and enhance affordability for breast screening is urgent.