Breast self - examination practice and associated factors among female health professionals at Eka Kotebe General Hospital Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Early detection of breast cancer plays an important role to improve outcome and survival rate. Breast self-examination is a practical and accessible method for early detection of breast cancer in low-income countries. Study on BSE practice among health care providers is limited and inconsistent in findings the aim of this study is to determine evidences on breast self-examination practice and associated factors among female health professionals at Eka Kotebe General Hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Objectives: To determine the practice and associated factors of breast self-examination among female health professionals at Eka Kotebe General Hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Methods: An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted at Eka Kotebe General Hospital. A Stratified systematic random sampling method was employed, with a sample size of 183. Data was collected using Kobo Toolbox with pre-tested structured questionnaires. Data exported to and analyzed using STATA version 14. Bivariate and multivariate analyses was conducted, with adjustments made to control for cofounders and a significance level set at p<0.05. Results: From the total study participants (183), Sixty-two (33.88% (95% CI: 26.95%, 40.80%)) of female Health Professionals practice breast self-examination. age group of 41-50 (AOR = 5.55, 95% CI (1.42, 21.57) p=0.013), married (AOR = 4.75, 95% CI (1.87, 12.06) p=0.001), had a family history of breast cancer (AOR = 6.66, 95% CI (1.71, 25.88) p=0.006) and good knowledge towards BSE (AOR = 2.58, 95% CI (1.20, 5.55 p=0.015)) were significantly positively associated with the practice of breast self-examination among female health professionals. Conclusion and Recommendation: The study found that breast self-examination practice among female health Professionals at Eka Kotebe General Hospital was low, with factors such as age, marital status, family history of breast cancer, and knowledge of BSE being more prevalent. Recommendations include better short-term training for healthcare providers, especially younger, single, and those without a family history, and professional encouragement from the hospital gender and youth director. Key words: Practice. Breast self-examination, female health professionals, associated factors.