Breast Cancer Campaigns among women in Benue State: When Knowledge does not translate to practice
Authors: Ezeah, G., Apeh, A.C., Ogbole, G.E., Ojo, L.I., Omerigwe, G.E. and Ebi Ogbole, G.
Journal: Intl. Journal of Media, Security and Development. Vol 1 no. 1 2014
Volume: 1
Issue: 1
Abstract:Abstract In Nigeria, 116 out of every 100,000 women have breast cancer. Annually, breast cancer (BRCA) incidence rate is over 1million cases and over 411000 deaths. Survival rate is less than50% in developing countries, in contrast to 90% in developed countries. This, as studies revealed, is due to late detection and diagnosis, poor knowledge of breast cancer (BRCA), its causes, preventive measures and screening techniques. Consequently, campaign managers have resorted to aggressive awareness and sensitization programmes aimed at increasing knowledge, changing attitudes and enhancing the practice of all necessary screening procedures; since success is highly dependent on the influence of these campaigns to increase knowledge, change unhealthy attitudes towards BRCA prevention and treatment and enhance practice of screening methods. The study, therefore, looks at the influence of breast cancer campaigns on knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) among women in Benue State. Using survey research design, findings revealed that majority of women in Benue State are exposed to breast cancer campaigns and awareness level of women about breast cancer is relatively high. However, it was revealed that knowledge of breast cancer among Benue women is superficial as genetic testing is quite a new subject to most of the respondents and Benue women have negative attitude towards breast cancer early detection campaigns. This led to poor practice among Benue women
Source: Manual