BELIEFS AND ATTITUDES ABOUT BREAST SELF-EXAMINATION IN AL-QASSIM REGION OF SAUDI-ARABIA, A STUDY OF WOMEN ATTENDING PRIMARY HEALTH-CARE CENTERS

Objective: The practice of breast self-examination (BSE), a recommende d method of breast screening, depends upon many factors including the beliefs, attitudes and perceived barriers of the women of a particular community. Our aim was to identify these factors among women residing in the Al-Qassim region. Design: This was a cross-sectional study inc luding women attending primary health care centres (PHCs) for differen t reasons. Women over the age of 18 years, having information about BS E, were recruited from 17 randomly selected PHCs, each under a differe nt group health care centre. An Arabic translation of a modified 30-it em Lauver and Angerame questionnaire was used. Responses were compared with personal characteristics of the participants and practice of BSE . Results: Out of a total of 266 women only 131 (49.2%) had informatio n about BSE and these answered the questionnaire. No significant relat ionship was found between the personal parameters and practice of BSE. The factors determining the practice of BSE included the subject's ow n lack of competence, fear and not remembering. Conclusions: improving the competence may improve the rate of BSE performance. That may be a n important first step towards the early detection of breast cancer in this population.