Demographic information about the respondents on breast cancer awareness
Age of the respondents
The study sought to establish the age of the respondents. This was important
because breast cancer is more prevalent among women who are 18 years and above
and women aged 30 year and above have a higher risk of getting breast cancer
according to CDC report(2010). Table: Age of Respondents
Age Frequency Percentage
18-25 43 35.8
26-30 15 12.5
31-40 45 37.5
40 and above 17 14.2
Total 120 100.0
The analysis indicates that out of 120 women who participated in the study, 43
(35.83%) are aged between 18 to 25 years, 15 (12.5%) are aged between 26 to 30
years, 45 (37.5%) are aged between 31 to 40 and 17 (14.17%) are above 40 years.
This shows that all the respondents are at risk of getting breast cancer and therefore
they should all accept and be screened for breast cancer.
Level of education
The study sought to establish the level of education because education greatly
determines the women’s understanding of health issue that affects them. This is
presented in Table
as shown below:
Table: Level of Education
Level of Education Frequency Percentage
Primary 17 14.2
Middle level college 98 81.6
University 5 4.2
Total 120 100.0
The analysis in Table indicates that out of 120 women who participated in the
study 17 (14.167%) of the women had attained primary level of education, 98
(81.667%) had attained middle level college and only 5 (4.167%) had attained
university level of education. This shows that 103 women (85.834%) had the
required educational level to be aware of and understand issues related to breast
cancer. This group of Women should be made more aware through breast cancer
education and the benefits of breast cancer screening in order to increase the level
of acceptance of breast cancer screening.
Work experience
The study sought to determine the respondents work experience to enable the
researcher determine the duration the respondents has been working in their current
job.
Table Work Experience
No of years Frequency Percentage
Less than 5years 34 28.3
5-10 years 68 56.7
10 years and above 18 15.0
Total 120 100.0
The analysis in Table 4.3 indicates that out of 120 women, 34 (28.33%) have
worked in their current position for less than 5 years, 68 (56.67%) have worked in
their current position for between 5 to 10 years and only 18 (15%) have in their
current position for more than 10 years. This shows that 86 women, 71.67%, have
been in the low income environment for more than five years. Therefore, the
government or non-governmental organization should permanently avail breast
cancer screening services that are affordable and within reach of many Market
women.
Breast cancer awareness
The study sought to establish the level of breast cancer awareness among the
respondents. The study assessed whether the respondents have ever heard of breast
cancer. The study also determined the respondent’s main sources of information
about breast cancer and the availability of any local training programs on breast
cancer.
Table: breast cancer awareness
Frequency Percentage
Heard of breast cancer 115 95.8
Never heard of breast cancer 5 4.2
The analysis in Table 4.4 indicates that out of 120 women who participated in the
study 95.83% have heard of breast cancer, this shows that a majority of women at
least have heard about breast cancer and had the knowledge about its existence.
From the study, 84.17% are not aware of any one method of breast cancer
screening including self-breast examination. And 85..0% of women know at least
one health facility where breast cancer screening can be done. This show majority
of women do not practice self-breast examination which is the simplest method of
breast cancer screening that does not cost money. The finding confirmed the study
done by Ahuja and Chakrabarti (2010) to determine the level of knowledge
regarding breast cancer and to increase awareness about breast cancer screening
practice among a group of women in a tertiary care in Mumbai India who found
out that the respondents lacked knowledge of vital issues related to breast
cancer and the practice of breast self-examination was inadequate.
Table: Source of information
Source of information Frequency Percentage
Social media 97 80.8
School/college 2 1.7
Seminars/conferences 5 4.2
Local community programs 7 5.8
Others 9 7.5
The analysis in Table 4.5 indicate that out of 120 women who participated in the
study, 97 (80.83%) have heard about breast cancer through social media (radio,
television and internet), 7 (5.83%) have heard through the local community
programs, 5 (4.17%) through seminars and conferences and only 2 (1.67%)
have heard through school and
college while 9 (7.5%) has been through other means such as friends and personal
life experiences. Social media, that is, radio, television and internet plays a major
role in creating breast cancer awareness.
Out of 120 women who participated in the study, only 13.33% admitted knowing
they exist and 62.5% of those women who admitted knowing they exist said they
take place in churches while only 18.75% said they take place in estates and other
places such as women groups. 68.75% of women who knew of such programs do
attend. This shows that there are very few community programs on breast cancer.
The study also shows that most training programs on breast cancer take places in
churches and therefore churches play a big role in educating the general public
about breast cancer.
