Knowledge, attitudes and sources of information related to mammography among women in shkodra, Albania

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer screening procedures include: clinical examination, self examination and mammography. Mammography screening is used to detect breast cancer in women who are asymptomatic, so that should not be problematic signs associated with breast cancer. The aim of this study is to evidence the level of knowledge and attitude related to mammography test among women in Shkodra city.

METHODS: This study was conducted as a descriptive and cross-sectional research design. The study was conducted in Shkodra city during the period January - February 2017. The study sample consisted of 200 women. In this study there were completed 200 questionnaires. The information was collected through self-report. We held random cases in different health centers at family doctor among women over 30 years old. All cases were women that go randomly to family doctors to take different health services. All data collected were calculated with the SPSS 20 program. A structured questionnaire was used including several closed questions. The questionnaire measured the information, attitudes and convictions related to mammography. The privacy of participating women was protected.

RESULTS: The total number of females who participated in the study was 200, with a response rate of 100%, min=30, max=68, mean=45.5, range=38. The majority of participants (63%) were over 45 years old and 37% were between 30- 45 years old. The female with an elementary level of education constituted 56% of the sample, while 31% had a high school level and only 13% the university level. The majority of participants (70%) were housewives, and only 30% were employed. The majority of participants were married (89%), 7% of them were widowed and 4% were single.

CONCLUSION: The analysis revealed that the only two variables that were significant and positively associated with a positive attitude toward mammography were the positive family history of breast cancer (p<0.0001) and the participant’s level of education (p<0.007). Poor knowledge and attitude were observed among 57% of all participants, especially in relation to not having mammography done.