Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Women on Preventive Measures against Breast and Cervical Cancer in the Health District of Mbankomo, Cameroon
- 1 Higher School of Health Sciences Rosière, Yaoundé, Cameroon
- 2 Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon
- 3 Department of Gynecology-Obstetrics, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon
- 4 Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon
- 5 Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon
Abstract
Introduction: Breast and cervical cancer are real public health problems in Cameroon. Primary and secondary preventive measures remain the main means of the fight against cancer. This study aimed at evaluating women’s knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding preventive measures against breast and cervical cancer. A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Mbankomo Health District in Cameroon for 5 months (From March to August 2023). Data was collected using a questionnaire administered during an interview with consenting women. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS Version 26 software. Differences were considered statistically significant for values of p < 0.05. Results : A total of 325 women participated in this study. More than half of the participants were aged between 21 and 30 (60.9%), singles (52.9%) and had at least one child (53. 2%). The level of knowledge was poor in 46.76% of participants. Attitudes were approximative for 34.15% of them and related to their perception of not being at risk of cancer. Only 13.23% of women had adequate practices, with 4.2% vaccinated against the human papillomavirus and 17.8% having undergone breast cancer screening. There was a significant association between a low level of education and a poor level of knowledge [OR: 4.72; 95% CI: 2.82 - 7.89; P-value < 0.001], attitudes [OR: 1.94; 95% CI: 1.15 - 3.28; P-value = 0.012], and practices [OR: 6.76; 95% CI: 3.29 - 13.86 P-value < 0.001]. Harmful practices were associated with poor knowledge [OR: 3.47; 95% CI: 1.59 - 7.55; P-value = 0.002], and harmful attitude [OR: 56.20; 95% CI: 13.17 - 239.66; P-value < 0.001]. Conclusion : knowledge was correlated with attitudes and practices. It would be advisable to raise awareness of breast and cervical cancer prevention, targeting all women and youths, particularly in the current context where cancers are increasingly occurring in young people.
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