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. 2020 Aug 8;20:167. doi: 10.1186/s12905-020-01042-1

Table 2.

Knowledge and practice of BSE and main information sources among women in Wolaita Sodo, 2019 (n = 629)

Characteristics/variables Frequency (%)
Ever heard of breast cancer
 Yes 591 (94)
 No 38 (6)
Source of information
 Electronic media 366 (62)
 Journal/brochure/leaflet/magazine 4 (0.8)
 Books 3 (0.5)
 Educational institution 9 (1.4)
 Non-governmental organizations 1 (0.2)
 Health workers 87 (14.7)
 Family/friend 93 (15.8)
 Other person 28 (4.7)
Previously heard of BSE
 Yes 272 (46)
 No 319 (54)
Early detection method for breast cancer
 Breast self-examination (BSE) 107 (18)
 Clinical breast examination (CBE) 268 (45.3)
 I don’t know 216 (36.5)
Performed breast self-examination
 Yes 217 (78)
 No 55 (20.2)
Still perform breast self-examination
 Yes 195 (90)
 No 22 (10)
Knowledge that early detection of breast cancer improves chances of survival
 Yes 570 (96.7)
 No 13 (2)
 I don’t know 8 (1.3)
Family history of breast cancer
 Yes 14 (2.4)
 No 523 (88.6)
 I don’t know 54 (9)
Personal history of having benign breast lamp
 Yes 20 (3.3)
 No 197 (33.3)
 I don’t know 374 (63.4)
Knowledge of someone suffering from breast cancer
 Yes 116 (20)
 No 475 (80)
Ever nursed a breast cancer patient
 Yes 4 (1)
 No 587 (99)
Had close contact with a person with a benign breast lamp
 Yes 18 (3)
 No 573 (97)
Knowledge of personal status of other body part cancer
 Yes 446 (75)
 No 145 (25)
Position of BSE
 Standing 49 (22.4)
 Lying 45 (21)
 Sitting 16 (7.3)
 Standing and lying 107 (49.3)
Technical knowledge of BSE
 With palm and three middle fingers 35 (16)
 Simply touch and feel 157 (72.5)
 I don’t know 25 (11.5)
BSE practices applied
 Inspection 3 (1.4)
 Palpation 116 (53.6)
 Inspection and palpation 98 (45)
Knowledge about which arm to be used for BSE
 Right hand for left breast and vice versa 33 (15)
 The same arm for the same side breast 13 (6)
 Any (no protocol) 171 (79)