DefinePK

Abstract

Objective: To assess the knowledge, attitude and practices ofbreast self examination (BSE) in women attending gynecological units of major public sector hospitals ofKarachi.Study Design: Cross sectional survey. Patients and Methods: All women of age between 20-50 years of either marital status attending Gynae OPD of Civil Hospital and Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center, Karachi from May 2010 to December 2010 were included in the study. A verbal consent of each participant was obtained before collecting the data. The data was collected through a structured questionnaire have information on socio economic data, knowledge about Breast SelfExamination, symptoms, risk factors and preventive methods regarding breast cancer, attitude of the respondent and practices regarding Breast SelfExamination.Results: Out of 412 respondents, majority belongs to 30-39 years age group (43.7%). Knowledge about breast self examination was found in only 22.8% respondents. Knowledge about symptoms, risk factors and preventive measures regarding Breast cancer were 25.3%, 28.7% and 26.0% respectively. However majority of the women 98.9% who have the knowledge were practice the Breast SelfExamination monthly or fortnightly. The attitude regarding Breast SelfExamination was very encouraging as 97.3% of the respondents promised not only to adopt it in future but also recommend it to their relatives and other friends.