KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICE OF BREAST SELF EXAMINATION AMONG FEMALE NURSES AT THE ADEOYO MATERNITY AND RING ROAD SPECIALIST HOSPITALS IBADAN, NIGERIA

Abstract

Breast Cancer (BC) is the commonest cause of cancer-related death among women and its incidence is on the increase in Nigeria. The level of practice of Breast Self Examination (BSE), a cheap, easy-to-learn and effective screening measure for detecting BC in its early stage, is low among Nigerian women. Nurses have pivotal roles to play in educating women on how to perform BSE, yet their knowledge and level of practice related to the procedure have not been fully investigated. This study was designed to assess the knowledge and practice of BSE among female nurses in Adeoyo Maternity and Ring Road Specialist Hospitals in Ibadan. All the 380 female nurses in the two health facilities were enrolled in the cross-sectional study. The instruments for data collection were a validated questionnaire with a 19-point BC knowledge scale, a 10-point BSE knowledge scale and a 9-point adapted America Cancer society’s BSE skill check-list. The questionnaire was used to assess their skills related to BSE using a breast model. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, chi-square test and ANOVA at 5% level of significance. The mean age of the respondents was 41.9± 8.6 years. Majority (88.6%) were married with a median parity of 1.00(0-7 children). The highest level of education attained by respondents were basic Nursing/Midwifery (89.4%), Bachelors degree in Nursing (8.2%), Bachelors degree in Health Education (1.6%) and Bachelors degree in Psychology (0.8%). Respondents’ overall mean knowledge scores in respect of BC and BSE were 11.7±2.3 and 6.4±1.4 respectively. Mean knowledge scores on BC by educational qualifications were B.Sc Nursing (12.2±1.4), B.Sc Psychology (12.0±1.7), Basic Nursing/Midwifery (11.7±2.4) and B.Sc Health Education (11.5 ± 1.1); with no significant difference. The mean knowledge score about BSE for basic Nursing/Midwifery (6.5±1.5), B.Sc Nursing (6.4± 1.3), B.Sc Psychology (6.0 ±2.0) and B.Sc Health Education (5.5±1.2) were not significantly different. The risk factors associated with BC include running night shift duties (18.4%), early menarche with late onset of menopause (26.3%) and null parity (15%). Mean score on BSE skill was 5.8±1.6. Most respondents (95.9%) had ever performed BSE out of which only 45.5% practiced BSE in the month preceding the survey. Only 4.1% of the respondents could correctly demonstrate BSE. Many respondents (67.4%) were aware that BSE should be done on a monthly basis. The reasons advanced for not performing BSE by some respondents included being too busy (1.6%), doubt about efficacy of BSE in early detection of BC (1.6%) and lack of adequate skills (0.9%) about BSE. A large proportion (88.0%) perceived themselves vulnerable to BC and 99.2% had the intention of performing BSE. The knowledge of breast cancer was average and the level of practice of breast self examination was low. These may limit the ability to educate their clients on breast cancer. In-service training is needed to upgrade their knowledge and skill related to breast self examination.