Awareness of breast cancer risk factors, symptoms and breast self-examination among Omani female teachers : a cross-sectional study

الملخص EN

Objectives: This study aimed to assess knowledge of breast cancer (BC) risk factors, warning signs and symptoms and breast self-examination (BSE) practice among Omani female teachers in Al-Dhahira Governorate.

Methods: A cross-sectional sample of female teachers aged 20–50 years was collected from January to December 2018 from three wilayats (provinces) in Al-Dhahira—Ibri, Dhank and Yunqal.

A questionnaire that included the Breast Cancer Awareness Scale and demographic characteristics was administered.

Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, regression analysis and Pearson’s Chi-square test.

Results: A total of 478 female teachers were included in the study (response rate: 72.4%).

The majority of participants (60.5%) had good overall knowledge about BC while 19.9% of participants had excellent overall knowledge.

Only 9% of participants demonstrating excellent knowledge of BC risk factors.

More than half of the participants (56.1%) reported excellent knowledge in screening methods.

Unfortunately, only 57% of the female teachers indicated practising BSE.

Knowledge of BC symptoms was closely divided between excellent and good levels (45.8 and 42.5%, respectively).

BSE practice was significantly (P <0.05) correlated with overall knowledge of BC and its symptoms and screening methods, but not with knowledge of BC risk factors.

Conclusion: This study revealed unsatisfactory overall knowledge of BC risk factors, symptoms, screening methods and BSE practice among female Omani teachers in Al-Dhahira Governorate.

These findings constitute a challenge to healthcare providers to continue developing awareness of BC and providing health information to the public.