KNOWLEDGE, PRACTICE AND HEALTH BELIEFS OF YOUNG PAKISTANI WOMEN RELATED TO BREAST SELF-EXAMINATION

Abstract

With an increasing prevalence and mortality of breast cancer in Pakistan, early screening has become vital for survival. However, a gap is seen between the increasing knowledge of Breast Self-Examination (BSE) and its practice among young Pakistani women. In this regard, this study determined if the tenets of health belief model explained this gap. The study was cross-sectional in nature. It used online platforms to collect data from 205 young women from different cities of Pakistan. The participants completed Breast Self-Examination Knowledge and Practice Questionnaires along with Champion’s Health Belief Model Scale (CHBMS) for the study. The results showed that perceived benefits, perceived barriors, perceived confidence and health motivation, along with BSE knowledge determined BSE practice among young women. Further, the findings also indicated that BSE knowledge had a significant indirect influence on BSE practice through health motivation and perceived confidence. Findings outlined that health beliefs accounted for the low rate of BSE practice among young women in Pakistan. The implications for these findings are discussed.