Perceptions and knowledge of breast cancer and breast self-examination among young adult women in southwest Ethiopia: Application of the health belief model.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is still a recognized public health issue in Ethiopia. Despite this, the viewpoints and comprehensions of young women about the situation are unknown. Therefore, this study was carried out to assess the knowledge and perceptions of young adult women in Southwest Ethiopia about breast cancer and breast self-examination (BSE). METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional study was carried out in the Gurage zone, southwest Ethiopia, in 2021. A total of 392 young adult women were randomly selected from both urban and rural strata using a three-stage stratified sampling process. A pretested questionnaire was used to collect the data. For data entry, Epi-data 4.6 with a double-entry approach was used, and for analysis, SPSS 26 was used. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify variables associated with BSE behavior. A p-value of 0.05 or below was considered statistically significant with a 95% CI. RESULTS: The respondents' ages ranged from 20 to 24, with a mean of 21.25 (±1.32) years. Breast cancer and BSE were unknown to more than 80% of the study participants. A large proportion of young adult women had low perceived susceptibility (97.6%), low threat of breast cancer (96%), and low self-efficacy to perform BSE (91.4%). BSE was conducted by 23.1% of the participants occasionally. Being married (AOR = 5.31, 95% CI = 2.19-12.90), having good outcome expectations of BSE (AOR = 2.05, 95% CI = 1.16-3.61), having good BSE knowledge (AOR = 1.22, 95% CI = 1.04-1.45), having high perceived susceptibility (AOR = 1.12, 95% CI = 1.05-1.20), high perceived severity (AOR = 1.78, 95% CI = 1.02-3.09), and having high self-efficacy to do BSE (AOR = 1.05, 95% CI = 1.01-1.09) were all significant predictors of BSE practice. CONCLUSIONS: Young adult women were less concerned about breast cancer and had insufficient knowledge of breast cancer and breast self-examination. They have little knowledge of, confidence in, or experience with BSE. The practice of BSE was associated with increased perceived susceptibility, self-efficacy, severity, outcome expectations, and BSE knowledge. Therefore, these variables should be considered when developing educational interventions for young women.

Determinants of Postpartum IUCD Utilization Among Mothers Who Gave Birth in Gamo Zone Public Health Facilities, Southern Ethiopia: a Case-Control Study.

BACKGROUND: The postpartum intrauterine contraceptive device (PPIUCD) is an effective, reliable, safe and recommended contraceptive method for the postpartum women. However, only a small proportion of women who gave birth at health facilities in the world have used it. There are limited studies about determinants of PPIUCD utilization. Therefore, this study aimed to assess determinants of postpartum IUCD utilization among mothers who gave birth in Gamo zone health facilities, southern Ethiopia. METHODS: A facility based unmatched case-control study was done at Gamo zone public health facilities, southern Ethiopia. Data were collected using a pretested interviewer-administered questionnaire from March 1 to April 15, 2019. The data were coded, cleaned and entered into Epi-Info version 3.5.1 and exported to SPSS version 25 for advanced analysis. Binary logistic regression was performed to identify the determinants of PPIUCD utilization. RESULTS: A total of 510 (175 cases and 335 controls) participants were involved in the study yielding a response rate of 95.1%. Partner support for IUCD insertion (AOR [95% CI]: 10 [4.03, 24.3]), birth interval (AOR [95% CI]: 9.7 [1.7, 55.1]), fertility plan (AOR [95% CI]: 4 [1.44, 10.84]), and timing of counseling (AOR [95% CI]:1.25 [0.034, 0.46]) are the determinant factors for postpartum IUCD. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION: Birth interval, fertility plan, timing of counseling, pregnancy plan and partner support were the determinant factors identified in this study. Therefore, counseling of both partners during antenatal follow-up, delivery and immediately after delivery by health professionals are recommended.