Abstract:
Introduction: Breast cancer in Rwanda is a major concern in the woman’s health, most breast cancer are
diagnosed at an advance stage when screening of breast can be done early.
Aim: To assess factors influencing breast cancer screening practices among women of reproductive age in
south Kayonza.
Methodology: The study was a quantitative conducted on 246 women from four Health centers in south
Kayonza. The targeted population was the women aged from 16 to 49. This was a descriptive, cross-sectional
study using convenience sampling technique. SPSS version 21 was used for data analysis including descriptive
statistics to describe participants’ socio-demographic characteristics using tables, graphs, percentages and chisquare was used to present the results and approval to conduct research was obtained from Institution Review
Board (IRB) of University of Rwanda, College of Medicine and health sciences. The data collection tool was
structured questionnaire.
Result: The knowledge mean score among women in south Kayonza were 60.2% on breast cancer risk factors,
55.5 % of influence about screening practices while knowledge on BSE were 28% and knowledge on CBE and
breast ultrasound scan were 16.4% which is poor knowledge. The practice of breast screening practices in last
two years, (72%) of respondents had never practiced BSE whereas 81.3% of respondents surveyed were not
used CBE or breast ultrasound scan. The main source of information was 30.4% of respondents. The results
found significant relationships between age group and marital status on breast cancer screening practices.
Conclusion: Promotion of breast cancer screening practices are in need for knowledge and practices
improvement among women in south Kayonza.
Recommendations: Health promotion and health dialogue is the remarkable framework for women to acquire
knowledge basic knowledge related to breast cancer. Educate should be delivered to the public with deficiency
education to improve their level of knowledge about breast cancer screening. Education of women will be the
bottom-line to the basic steps of breast self-examination and clinical breast examination in their respective
health facilities.
