Abstract

Ike Okafo and Olaosebikan C.J

Breast cancer is one of the commonest causes of cancer morbidity and mortality in women in the world, but early detection measure (EDM) has been found to be the solution. This article presents perceived health belief of breast cancer and knowledge of its early detection measures among rural women in Umuduru Mbano, Imo State, Eastern Nigeria. A cross-sectional design was used in the study. A total of 440 young and old women from Umuduru Health District in the study area were sampled. Multistage sampling technique was used in selecting the respondents. Each woman was subjected to a structured questionnaire to elicit information on the perceived health belief of breast cancer and knowledge of its early detection measures. The study revealed that perceived susceptibility to breast cancer was significant among the old and young women. Their perception of the benefits of practice of EDM was significant. Meanwhile, the perceived barrier to practice of EDM among the young and old women was not significant. Findings of this study indicate that there is a need for an interventional study to enhance knowledge and free discussion of early detection measures of breast cancer among rural women in Umuduru Mbano.