Abstract:
Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide. A
very important factor in the timely treatment and prevention of progression is the
knowledge and practice of BC screening. Public and individual awareness can play a vital
role in the prevention, early diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer.
Objective: To assess the knowledge and practice towards breast cancer screening among
women in Gicumbi health district, Rwanda.
Methods: A cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted in April 2017 on a total of
256 women who were between 20 and over years who came to selected health center in
Gicumbi Health District Northern Rwanda. Health centers were selected by simple
random sampling technique and the study participants were selected using Systematic
Random Sampling Technique. Data were collected by using a structured and pretested
questionnaire. SPSS Version 21 was used for data entry and analysis. Cross tabulation
and logistic were used to identify factors associated with knowledge and practice of BC
screening. Data were presented by running descriptive statistics, numerical summary
measures, frequencies, proportions, distributions were used to check for normality and
also diagrams for describing the study population in relation to relevant variables.
Results: The mean age of the respondents was 32 years. Overall 154(60.2%) of women
had heard about breast cancer screening but only 31, 7% had good knowledge about BC
screening and only 58(22.7%) had ever practiced BSE or CBE or had a mammogram.
Knowledge on breast cancer were found associated with BC screening practice
[OR=3.29; 95%CI (1.20-9.03)]
Conclusion: This study revealed a low level of knowledge and practice about BC
screening. There is a need to design and implement awareness creation program on
screening for breast cancer to promote early detection and diagnosis in the prevent ion of
breast cancer in women.
