Knowledge, perceptions and practices associated with timing for breast cancer screening among female students at the University of Zimbabwe: A cross-sectional study
Background: Breast cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality among women globally. Early detection through screening is crucial for improving outcomes. However, knowledge gaps, misconceptions, and poor practices around screening timing persist among young women. This study...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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OPI Napoli
2025-02-01
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| Series: | NSC Nursing |
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| Online Access: | https://www.nscnursing.it/knowledge-perceptions-and-practices-associated-with-timing-for-breast-cancer-screening-among-female-students-at-the-university-of-zimbabwe-a-cross-sectional-study/ |
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| author | Peter Chikuvadze Grace Nkhoma Maxwell Mhlanga Augustine Ndaimani |
| author_facet | Peter Chikuvadze Grace Nkhoma Maxwell Mhlanga Augustine Ndaimani |
| author_sort | Peter Chikuvadze |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: Breast cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality among women globally. Early detection through screening is crucial for improving outcomes. However, knowledge gaps, misconceptions, and poor practices around screening timing persist among young women. This study explores the knowledge, perceptions, and practices related to breast cancer screening among female students at the University of Zimbabwe. It aims to inform nursing practice by highlighting the critical role nurses play in addressing these gaps through education, awareness, and guidance on screening timing.
Methods: This analytical cross-sectional study employed random sampling to recruit participants at the University of Zimbabwe from March 4 to April 8. A structured questionnaire with three sections, consisting of closed-ended questions, was used to assess demographic characteristics, as well as knowledge, perceptions, and practices related to breast cancer screening. Data were analyzed using STATA 15, with descriptive statistics presented in tables and figures. Associations between variables were tested using Chi-square, Fisher’s exact tests, and binary logistic regression.
Results: Of the 139 participants, 85% were aged 20-25, single, and undergraduates. Among all age groups, 54% did not perform breast self-examinations. Participants aged 36-40 had significantly higher odds of late screening (OR=17.8, p=0.014) and married participants also had higher odds of later screening (OR=4.42, p=0.009) compared to single participants. Participants who perceived that a healthy diet reduces breast cancer risk had lower odds of late screening (OR=0.32, p=0.021). Participants who knew the recommended age of Breast Self-Examination had higher odds of late screening (OR=2.5, p=0.027). Participants with religious and cultural beliefs influencing their decision-making were significantly more likely to present late (OR = 3.21, p = 0.030).
Conclusion: Socio-demographic factors and health-seeking behaviors significantly influenced breast cancer screening timing. Nurses are pivotal in promoting early screening through tailored health promotion strategies, including raising awareness, addressing misconceptions, and encouraging self-examination practices. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-ee4c24c11fa947f8967887ebc1c27293 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2612-6915 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | OPI Napoli |
| record_format | Article |
| series | NSC Nursing |
| spelling | doaj-art-ee4c24c11fa947f8967887ebc1c272932025-02-06T11:32:58ZengOPI NapoliNSC Nursing2612-69152025-02-0113446310.32549/OPI-NSC-116Knowledge, perceptions and practices associated with timing for breast cancer screening among female students at the University of Zimbabwe: A cross-sectional studyPeter Chikuvadze0https://orcid.org/0009-0003-9929-0158Grace Nkhoma1Maxwell Mhlanga2https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4312-3097Augustine Ndaimani3https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1142-600XDepartment of Nursing Science, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, ZimbabweDepartment of Nursing Science, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, ZimbabweCentre of Gender Equity, University of Global Health, Kigali, RwandaCentre for Nursing and Midwifery, University of Global Health, Kigali, RwandaBackground: Breast cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality among women globally. Early detection through screening is crucial for improving outcomes. However, knowledge gaps, misconceptions, and poor practices around screening timing persist among young women. This study explores the knowledge, perceptions, and practices related to breast cancer screening among female students at the University of Zimbabwe. It aims to inform nursing practice by highlighting the critical role nurses play in addressing these gaps through education, awareness, and guidance on screening timing. Methods: This analytical cross-sectional study employed random sampling to recruit participants at the University of Zimbabwe from March 4 to April 8. A structured questionnaire with three sections, consisting of closed-ended questions, was used to assess demographic characteristics, as well as knowledge, perceptions, and practices related to breast cancer screening. Data were analyzed using STATA 15, with descriptive statistics presented in tables and figures. Associations between variables were tested using Chi-square, Fisher’s exact tests, and binary logistic regression. Results: Of the 139 participants, 85% were aged 20-25, single, and undergraduates. Among all age groups, 54% did not perform breast self-examinations. Participants aged 36-40 had significantly higher odds of late screening (OR=17.8, p=0.014) and married participants also had higher odds of later screening (OR=4.42, p=0.009) compared to single participants. Participants who perceived that a healthy diet reduces breast cancer risk had lower odds of late screening (OR=0.32, p=0.021). Participants who knew the recommended age of Breast Self-Examination had higher odds of late screening (OR=2.5, p=0.027). Participants with religious and cultural beliefs influencing their decision-making were significantly more likely to present late (OR = 3.21, p = 0.030). Conclusion: Socio-demographic factors and health-seeking behaviors significantly influenced breast cancer screening timing. Nurses are pivotal in promoting early screening through tailored health promotion strategies, including raising awareness, addressing misconceptions, and encouraging self-examination practices.https://www.nscnursing.it/knowledge-perceptions-and-practices-associated-with-timing-for-breast-cancer-screening-among-female-students-at-the-university-of-zimbabwe-a-cross-sectional-study/breast cancerscreeningbreast self-examinationknowledgeperceptionsnursing |
| spellingShingle | Peter Chikuvadze Grace Nkhoma Maxwell Mhlanga Augustine Ndaimani Knowledge, perceptions and practices associated with timing for breast cancer screening among female students at the University of Zimbabwe: A cross-sectional study NSC Nursing breast cancer screening breast self-examination knowledge perceptions nursing |
| title | Knowledge, perceptions and practices associated with timing for breast cancer screening among female students at the University of Zimbabwe: A cross-sectional study |
| title_full | Knowledge, perceptions and practices associated with timing for breast cancer screening among female students at the University of Zimbabwe: A cross-sectional study |
| title_fullStr | Knowledge, perceptions and practices associated with timing for breast cancer screening among female students at the University of Zimbabwe: A cross-sectional study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Knowledge, perceptions and practices associated with timing for breast cancer screening among female students at the University of Zimbabwe: A cross-sectional study |
| title_short | Knowledge, perceptions and practices associated with timing for breast cancer screening among female students at the University of Zimbabwe: A cross-sectional study |
| title_sort | knowledge perceptions and practices associated with timing for breast cancer screening among female students at the university of zimbabwe a cross sectional study |
| topic | breast cancer screening breast self-examination knowledge perceptions nursing |
| url | https://www.nscnursing.it/knowledge-perceptions-and-practices-associated-with-timing-for-breast-cancer-screening-among-female-students-at-the-university-of-zimbabwe-a-cross-sectional-study/ |
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