Breast Self-Examination Practice and Associated Factors among Rural Women in Hai Duong Province, Viet Nam: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the practice level of breast self-examination among rural women, and some factors related to this level of research participants. Methodology: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on 309 women living in some rural areas of Hai Duong province, Vietnam from January to June 2022. Data were analyzed by SPSS 20.0 software, and a Chi-square test was used to determine factors related to some demographic characteristics and breast self-examination practices of rural women. Findings: The study results show that 70.6% of rural women have never performed breast self-examination, in addition, 15.9% practiced every once a month. For evaluation of breast self-examination practice through direct observation shows that only 17.5% of women practice at level with passed. Family history of breast cancer and monthly income of rural women were related to the level of breast self-examination practice (p<0.05). Unique Contribution to Theory, Policy, and Practice: The percentage of rural women practicing breast self-examination following steps by steps correctly was low. Therefore, conducting an educational program to guide breast self-examination practice is necessary for rural women to help them proactively screen and early detect breast-related diseases, especially breast cancer.