Influence of socio demographic factors and undergraduate training on knowledge of breast cancer and practice of early detection among sri Lankan undergraduate nursing students

Abstract

Breast cancer is one of the most common malignancies among the women and second cause of cancer death in globally, with the prevalence of more than one million in worldwide annually. The fatal outcome is most probably due to the presenting at late stage of Breast cancer. A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among 269 nursing students in Sri Lankan Allied Health Sciences to assess the influence of socio demographic factors and undergraduate training on knowledge of breast cancer and practice of early detection measures. Data was collected using by a self-administered questionnaire. Nearly equal proportion of participants was in 1st year (33.1%), 2nd year (30.9%) and 3rd year (36.1%). The mean age of the participants was 21.5 years and nearly female and male ratio was 2:1. Knowledge and practice was scored as good, adequate and poor. Nearly one third (30.9%) and two third (61.7%) of the female participants had good and adequate level of overall knowledge on breast cancer respectively. However, nearly half of the female participants not aware on early detection and preventive measure of breast cancer. Only 13.6% of female participants had good practice on early detection measures of breast cancer whereas this number was little high (18.5%) in male participants. Among the female participants 40% were practicing self breast examination on monthly basis, 19% were practicing yearly basis and 31% were not practicing. Furthermore, 29.1% and 12.7% of female participants were undergone clinical breast examination and mammogram respectively. The knowledge and practice level of breast cancer was influenced by the age, undergraduate training and year of study of the participants.