BREAST CANCER SCREENING PRACTICE AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG FEMALE NURSES WORKING AT SOUTH OMO ZONE PUBLIC HEALTH FACILITIES, SOUTHERN ETHIOPIA, 2023

Abstract

Background: Globally, breast cancer is one of the most prevalent cancers and the leading cause of mortality for women due to not receiving screening. Therefore, early detection of breast cancer could potentially reduce morbidity and mortality from breast cancer among women. Hence, female nurses play a vital role in promoting breast cancer screening, although there is scarce data regarding the screening practices among female nurses in the research area. Objective: To assess breast cancer screening practice and associated factors among female nurses working at South Omo Zone public health facilities in Southern Ethiopia in 2023. Methods: An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted from May 15 to June 15, 2023, among female nurses employed in public health facilities in the South Omo Zone. Simple random sampling was used to select the study participants. Data was collected using a pre tested, structured, and self-administered questionnaire. The collected data were entered and cleaned using Epi Data version 3.1 and exported to SPSS version 22 for analysis. Binary logistic regression analyses were used. Variables with a p-value <0.05 in the multivariable logistic regression analysis were considered statistically significant. Result: In the current study, the prevalence of breast cancer screening practice was 21% (95% CI: 16.0, 26.5) based on recommendations. The mean age of respondents is 33 ±7 SD. Being age ≥40 years (AOR = 0.18; 95% CI: 0.04–0.70), having good knowledge about breast cancer signs and symptoms (AOR =2.94; 95% CI: 1.18–7.35), good knowledge of risk factors (AOR =8.60; 95% CI: 3.72–19.87), high perceived susceptibility (AOR = 2.55; 95% CI: 1.11–5.88), and a high perceived benefit of breast cancer screening (AOR = 2.30; 95% CI: 1.02–5.18) were significantly associated. Conclusion and recommendation: The practice of breast cancer screening among female nurses in the study area was low as compared to previous studies. Being age ≥40 years, knowledge of signs and symptoms, risk factors of breast cancer, susceptibility to breast cancer, and benefits from breast cancer screening were associated with the practice of breast cancer screening. It is better to provide mammography and training to improve breast cancer screening.