Perceptions of Adolescents Regarding Breast Cancer

Abstract

Background: Breast cancer in women is a major health burden. In Nepal, most common cancer in female is breast cancer. Knowledge plays an important role in improvement of health seeking behavior. Knowledge may positively affect attitude and practice. So, this study aims to assess the knowledge and attitude regarding breast cancer among the adolescents.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was done among students of 23 randomly selected highher secondary schools of Bhaktapur district. Total 990 participant were assessed with questionnaire regarding knowledge and attitude towards breast cancer.
Results: Out of total 400 participants, 89.6% of male and 88.5% of female respondents had poor knowledge regarding breast cancer. 63.2% of the female and 50.9% of the male respondents had good attitude towards breast cancer. Religion, education of parents and ethnicity of respondents showed positive association with respondent’s knowledge of breast cancer. Gender, education and ethnicity of respondents showed positive association with respondent’s attitude of breast cancer.
Conclusions: Majority of the respondents had poor knowledge and half of respondents had good attitude towards breast cancer. Therefore, educational programs and awareness campaigns that target adolescents to improve their knowledge and attitude regarding breast cancer must be encouraged.
Keywords: Attitude; breast cancer; breast self-examination; knowledge