Moderating Role of Demographic Characteristics in Breast Cancer Awareness and the Behavioural Disposition of Women in Ogun State, Nigeria

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer incidence is fast increasing, posing a significant threat to the health of women of all races globally. In Nigeria, breast cancer causes the most cancer-related deaths among women each year as a result of inadequate awareness.
 AIM: This study is aimed at examining the moderating role of demographic characteristics in facilitating breast cancer awareness among women, and how it relates to their behavioural disposition to the disease.
 METHODS: The study adopted the descriptive (survey) and cross-sectional research designs to elicit information from women of adult age selected across five Local Government Areas in Ogun state. The data, collected through questionnaire were analysed through the use of a variance-based SEM Partial Least Square (PLS).
 RESULTS: The result shows that demographic characteristics (age and education) has a significant positive effect and jointly explain 74.9% of the variance in the breast cancer awareness and behavioural disposition among women in the study area. The findings revealed that a significant number of women with breast cancer had not acquired useful knowledge that could potentially be used to diagnose, prevent, and manage the disease. Unfortunately, the practice of Breast Self-Examination is grossly low among Nigerian women, as a consequence, only 20-30% of the women in study areas, including professionals, are aware of the benefits of BSE and only a smaller percentage practice BSE.
 CONCLUSION: There is, therefore, a need to educate women on the benefits of this simple life-saving procedure through the consistent use of media platforms.

Spousal Desertion and Coping Strategies among Ever-married Women with Breast Cancer in Kwara and Ogun States Nigeria

“…The simultaneous examination of experiences of a disease with victims with two distinct backgrounds has added to the body of knowledge on survival strategies on breast cancer. It has also positioned this study as fundamental, especially in a country with a high incidence of breast cancer and high maternal deaths [9], [10]. The study has provided insight into the implications of men's behaviors toward spouses, especially in difficult times such as a sick period.…”

“…In Nigeria, divorce rate and marital separation are increasing [30], [31], giving rise to diminishing intact families while the spread of breast cancer is not abating. Evidences abound that breast cancer has spread across Nigerian communities [6], [9], [10], [32], [33], [34], [35], [36]. The number of cancer patients registered between 2005 and 2009 in Ibadan and Lagos was 5094 cases, in the ratio of 60:40, respectively [33].…”