Abstract:
Background: Breast cancer is by far the most frequent cancer of women. It is the second
leading cause of death in women worldwide. Approximately one out of eight women develops
breast cancer all over the world. More than 90% of cases of cancers of the breast are detected
by women themselves, stressing the importance of breast self-examination.
Objective: The main objective of this study was to assess factors associated with breast self
examination among female teachers in Kafa Zone, South West Ethiopia, 2013.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted the study participants were selected by using
simple random sampling technique. A self administered questionnaire including sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge about breast cancer and breast self examination
structured based on Champion's revised health belief model sub scales used for data collection
instrument and analyzed by SPSS soft ware program version 16.0.Multivariable logistic
regression analyses was used to identify independent predictors of BSE performance.
Result: A total of 315(99.6%) study subjects were participated in this study with mean age of
33 SD [±7] years, 203 [73.02%] of female teachers h ad poor knowledge of breast cancer and
only 52 [18.70%] had heard about breast self examination 38[73.07%] of study participants
was perform breast self examination out of performing women’s only 11 [28.9 %] reported that
they perform breast self examination on regular monthly basis. The respondents main source of
information 120 [43.16%] TV/radio followed by 24 [8.60 %] health provider and the majority
124 [44.6%] of the respondents were had ever obtain information. Women aged ≥40 AOR
1.057 [95% CI 1.004- 1.113], Knowledge about breast cancer AOR 4.062 [95% CI1.536 -
10.738] and Educational level degree and diploma holders AOR 5.443 [95% CI1.470-10.149]
were shows significant association. In this study among the CHBM contracts Perceived
Susceptibility AOR 1.546 [95% CI 1.245-1.918], Perceived severity AOR 1.142 [95% CI 1.028
- 1.26] and Perceived benefit AOR 1.239 [95% CI1.076 - 1.427] were significant predictors for
breast self examination performance, but perceived barriers, self efficacy and cues to action
were not significant.
Conclusion: This study tried to assess predictors of breast self examination and it reveals that
the Breast self examination performance was alarmingly low. The study evidenced that,
age>40 years, high level educational status, having good knowledge, having high perceived
susceptibility & perceived severity (perceived threat) high perceived benefit were perform the
intended behavior.
