Knowledge, Attitude and Practices Regarding Breast Self-Examination among Women Working in a Tertiary Care Hospital in India
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31344/ijhhs.v10i1.903Keywords:
Breast self-examination, breast cancer, health educationAbstract
Breast cancer is the commonest malignancy among women globally. During 1990s in India from being fourth in the list of most common cancer to becoming the first with early detection being key to reducing mortality. Breast Self-Examination (BSE) is a simple, cost-effective method that helps in identifying changes in the breast at an early stage. Among healthcare workers, especially women, awareness and regular practice of BSE are crucial as they serve as both role models and educators. This cross-sectional, observational study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital in Nagpur, India, to assess knowledge, attitude, and practices of BSE among females in the hospital.. A total of 360 female healthcare workers (clinical, pre-clinical, paraclinical, and office staff) were selected for this study through convenience sampling technique. Data was collected through a structured questionnaire. A total of 360 women aged between 18 to 60 years participated in the study. Among them, 19.72% reported a family history of cancer, and 9.17% had a personal history. While 86.9% had heard about BSE, only 56.4% knew the correct timing, and 49.2% practiced it monthly. Despite a high level of self-reported awareness, only 37.2% of participants had received formal training from healthcare staff, and only 63 women stated that they would seek medical consultation upon detecting abnormalities. Although no formal statistical correlation analysis was conducted between knowledge, attitude, and practice, the observed patterns indicate a disconnect between awareness and its consistent application in health-seeking behavior. Despite high awareness and favorable attitudes, significant gaps exist in accurate knowledge, proper technique, and clinical response. Targeted educational interventions focusing on BSE training, early detection, and reducing psychological barriers are essential to improve breast cancer outcomes among healthcare workers.
International Journal of Human and Health Sciences Vol. 10 No. 01 Jan’26 Page: 53-60
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