Awareness, Attitude, Practice, and Associated Socio-demographic Factors of Breast Self-examination among Women in Urban Slums of Bhubaneswar: a Community-based Cross-Sectional Study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47203/IJCH.2026.v38i03.009Keywords:
Adolescents, Social Anxiety, Affective Distress, Somatic Distress, School Mental HealthAbstract
Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer affecting Indian females. Thus, early detection in order to improve the breast cancer outcome and survival remains the cornerstone of breast cancer control. While mammography might be cost-intensive, breast self-examination is feasible and free of cost for screening for early detection of cancer of the breast. This study was conducted to assess the Awareness of BSE and Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of breast self-examination (BSE) and its associated factors.
Methodology: Study was conducted in selected 13 urban slums of Bhubaneswar which comes under the field practice area of IMS and SUM Hospital in Department of Community Medicine among 300 women aged 18-70 years.
Results: Among 300 participants, 132 (44%) were aware of BSE. Awareness was significantly associated with education above high school, employment, and age group. Only 1.5% of aware participants reported performing BSE every month, and only 45 of 132 women (34%) had ever practiced BSE. Education above high school was significantly associated with ever practicing BSE and remained significant in multivariable analysis.
Conclusion: Community-based health education and behavior change communication should focus on improving knowledge of breast cancer, correct BSE technique, and regular practice among women in underserved urban settings.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Lipilekha Patnaik (Corresponding Author); Ria Ganguly, Trilochan Sahu (Author)
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