Effect of educational level on knowledge and use of breast cancer screening practices in Bangladeshi women

Health Care Women Int. 2011 Mar;32(3):177-89. doi: 10.1080/07399332.2010.529213.

Abstract

The Breast Health Global Initiative 2007 emphasized education and cultural values for promoting breast cancer screening in developing countries. This cross-sectional study investigated if educational level and cultural beliefs affect breast cancer screening practices in 152 women 40 years or older in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Women with a higher (>12 years) educational level were more likely to know about breast self-examination (BSE; OR(adj), 95%CI = 22, 6.39-76.76), to know about mammograms (6, 2.49-15.70), and to practice BSE (3, 1.27-6.83) compared with those with a lower educational level. Breast cancer screening practices or knowledge was not affected by perceiving barriers to having mammograms.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Asian People / statistics & numerical data
  • Bangladesh
  • Breast Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Breast Neoplasms / ethnology
  • Breast Neoplasms / prevention & control
  • Breast Self-Examination*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Culture*
  • Early Detection of Cancer / statistics & numerical data
  • Educational Status*
  • Female
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
  • Humans
  • Mammography / statistics & numerical data*
  • Mass Screening / statistics & numerical data
  • Middle Aged
  • Surveys and Questionnaires