Determinants Of Breast Cancer Screening Among Female Civilian Patients At The Out-Patient Department Of The 37 Military Hospital, Greater Accra Region

Abstract

Background: Breast cancer is the most frequent cancer in women and the second leading cause of death from cancer in women worldwide. Sadly, in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), Ghana inclusive, Breast cancer is diagnosed late because of poor screening practices, and this results in a poorer prognosis and an increase in breast cancer mortality. Objective: The main aim of this study was to assess factors influencing breast cancer screening amongst female Civilian patients at the Out-Patient Department (OPD) of the 37 Military Hospital in Accra, Ghana. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional research design was used. A quantitative method for collecting data was applied. A total of 180 Civilian female participants seeking health care at the 37 Military hospital OPD were chosen for the study. 180 structured questionnaires were administered between mid-June and mid-July to females aged between 20 and 60 years old. They were selected by simple random sampling using the balloting technique. The COVID-19 protocols were duly observed during data collection. The data was analyzed using SPSS Version 25, Microsoft Excel Version 2111, and Stata IC 16.1. The data was presented using descriptive statistics comprising frequency and percentages. Prevalence ratios and the multivariable modified Poisson regression model was used to determine the relationship between the independent variables and breast cancer screening uptake. Results: The percentage of female Civilian patients at the 37 Military Hospital OPD who had screened for breast cancer in their lifetime was 40.1% (95% CI: 0.94 - 0.99). The most common screening method used amongst the women who partook the study was breast self-examination (44.5%). The ages at which they screened for breast cancer were between 35 and 39 years (21.4%). The common source of breast cancer information was mass media (44%). The socio-demographic factor that influenced breast cancer screening was educational level with patients who had attended tertiary having a higher breast cancer screening prevalence (aPR:8.20, 95% CI:2.56 – 26.27). Those who had screened for cervical cancer screening were more likely to screen for breast cancer. Majority of the respondents were aware of breast cancer (98%), and many had poor knowledge about what breast cancer was and its treatment, signs, and symptoms (55.6%). Conclusion: Although breast cancer awareness was high amongst the respondents, they had a poor knowledge of breast cancer. Educational level was a key determinant of breast cancer screening in the female Civilian OPD patients of the 37 Military Hospital. The common source of breast cancer information was obtained from mass media i.e television, radio, and newspapers. Breast cancer screening prevalence was higher in the 51 - 60 years age group, in employed patients, those who had given birth to one child and in Akans and Dagombas.