Assessment of Women’s Knowledge about Breast Self-Examination at Al-Yarmouk Teaching Hospital

Abstract

Objective: To assess women’s information and knowledge about breast self-examination and identify the relationship between social and demographical characteristics (age, level of education and marital status) with breast self-examination knowledge.

Study Design: Descriptive study
Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the Al-Yarmouk Teaching Hospital in Baghdad from 27th June 2022 to 22nd May 2023.

Methods: This descriptive study was conducted at Al-Yarmouk Teaching Hospital in Baghdad including 100 women.

Results: Majority of participants were aged 20–29 years (33%), had completed high school (42%), and were married (84%). Overall, participants demonstrated adequate knowledge of breast self-examination, although gaps were identified in specific items 3, 7, and 14. No significant association was found between age and overall knowledge, except for awareness of breast self-examination importance (P≤0.05). Educational level showed a
significant relationship with most knowledge items, while items 10, 12, and 13 were not significant. Marital status was significantly associated with knowledge of breast self-examination timing, technique, steps, and perceived importance, while other items were not significant (P≤0.05).

Conclusion: Differences were observed in women’s knowledge of breast self-examination, with noticeable improvement after participants benefited from motivation related to the examination.