[Breast self-examination practice in Tunisia based on a survey of first-line patients]. / La pratique de l'auto-examen des seins en Tunisie à travers une enquête chez les consultantes en première ligne.

As the first phase of a breast cancer screening campaign in central Tunisia, a survey aimed at evaluating the frequency of self-examination of the breasts (SEB) and identifying factors which might influence this practice took place in the Kalâa Kbira region of Tunisia, involving 300 first-line out-patients. Women answered a questionnaire presented by a resident in medicine during the course of the visit. The survey showed that the use of SEB remains slight (28%). Discriminant analysis enabled identification of parameters influencing this practice. Thus age of the patient, educational level of the woman and/or spouse and the source of information were the most significant parameters, in increasing order of importance. The results of this survey should enable definition of the content and form of information to be given to women in order to obtain their participation in a breast cancer screening campaign in central Tunisia.

[Knowledge, attitude and behavior of Tunisian women apropos of gynecological cancers]. / Connaissances, attitudes et comportements des femmes tunisiennes a propos des cancers gynécologiques.

With the aim to analyze population needs in the field of cancer screening (cervical and breast cancer), attitudes, behaviors and knowledge of a Tunisian women group of health service user's were studied. Results clearly demonstrate the necessity to inform the concerned population about risk factors particularly concerning breast cancer (the most frequent cancer in Tunisia) but also early symptoms and available screening methods. This role is alloted to health professionals, more for general practitioners and midwives than for gynaecologists. Health education for women and groups, however, have to go hand in hand with training of health professionals in matter of test screening.