Breast Self-Examination Practice Among Women in Jimma, Southwest Ethiopia: A Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction

Breast self-examination is one of the cheapest screening methods for early detection of breast cancer which can be performed by women in privacy, and in their own schedule. Despite being simple, quick, and cost-free, the practice of breast self-examination is low. The study was carried out to assess the practice of breast self-examination among women of childbearing age in Jimma, Southwest Ethiopia.

Objective

To assess the practice of breast self-examination among women of childbearing age in Jimma, Southwest Ethiopia.

Methods

A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Jimma town, Southwest Ethiopia in March 2018. Seven hundred and twenty-four women of childbearing age were selected by multistage sampling methods. They were interviewed using structured questionnaire and standardized scale. Bivariate logistic regression analysis was done to see crude association between each independent variable and outcome variable. Logistic regression was used for analysis on the basis of OR, 95% CI and a P value of less than 0. 05.

Results

Six hundred and eighty-six respondents participated in the study giving 94.7% of response rate. Only 15% of them practiced breast self-examination. Respondents age (AOR = 2.07/1.14, 3.74/0.01), occupation (AOR=3.93/1.49, 10.35/0.00), family history of breast cancer (AOR=4.16/2.35, 7.36/0.00) and monthly income (AOR= 5.57/1.55, 19.92/0.00) are significantly associated with women’s practice of breast self-examination at a P-value less than 0.05.

Conclusion

The practice of breast self-examination is very low. Respondent age, occupation, family history of breast cancer, and monthly income are significantly associated with the women’s practice of breast self-examination.

Keywords:

• breast
• breast self-examination
• childbearing

Acknowledgments

We thank Jimma University, Institute of Health. Our thanks also go to supervisors, data collectors and study participants for their immense contribution in realization of our study. We want to thank  Prof. Susan Anand for her contribution on proof reading.

Ethics and Consent

This study was approved by the ethics committees of the Institutional Review Board of Jimma University. It adhered to the basics of the Declaration of Helsinki. A formal letter from the Institute of Health Science was submitted to selected kebeles and Jimma town municipality to obtain their cooperation and written informed consent was obtained from all the study subjects and femailes aged under 18 years were not included in this study.

Author Contributions

All authors made a significant contribution to the work reported, whether that is in the conception, study design, execution, acquisition of data, analysis and interpretation, or in all these areas; took part in drafting, revising or critically reviewing the article; gave final approval of the version to be published; have agreed on the journal to which the article has been submitted; and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Disclosure

We strongly clarify that there is no any financial and non-financial competing of interest among us and with other bodies.