Knowledge And Practice Towards The Importance Of Screening Mammography Among Women In Putrajaya

Abstract

Objective: To determine the knowledge and practice of screening mammography among women between the ages of 40-60 years in Putrajaya.

Materials and method: A sample of 153 Putrajaya female were interviewed using structured questionnaire

Result: In this study, the respondents mostly are at the age of 40-44 years old, housewives, married, possessed a tertiary education level. The prevalence of mammography among women above 40 years old in Putrajaya is 30%. The decision to do mammography had been made by the participants themselves 41.7%, while by company is 25.0% and physician is 33.3%. Moreover, the highest motive for undergoing mammography was fear of getting cancer (41.7%). The reasons for never experiencing mammography among respondents were they had no breast problems 57.1%, followed by they were very busy 17.9%, they never heard of mammogram 7.1% and they don’t feel old 7.1%. Only 5% have family members with breast cancer. Most of them have no family history of breast cancer (95%).

Conclusion: Based on our study done, the practice and knowledge are alarmingly low. Based on the findings, there is a need to focus on creating awareness in order to achieve a better practice and knowledge status of screening mammography. This can be done by providing educational campaigns, free screening mammography booths in community centres and most importantly, by the physician itself.