ASSESSMENT OF KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE OF MAMMOGRAPHY AMONG WOMEN IN AKURE METROPOLIS, ONDO STATE

Mammographic screening is one of the best modes of cancer detection that has been shown to reduce breast cancer mortality. Unless women are educated about mammography and mammographic screening, the goal of reducing breast cancer fatalities will remain out of reach. The aim of this study is to ascertain the level of knowledge, attitude and practice of mammography among women in Akure metropolis of Ondo state, Nigeria. This is a prospective cross sectional survey design consisting of 300 respondents (197 traders, 38 civil servants, 29 tailors, 17 farmers, 15 hair dressers, and 4 students). Questionnaires were used and were distributed to the respondents whose sample size was determined using Taro Yamani's distributed among the respondents using convenience sampling technique. 80.3% of the respondents have not heard of mammography screening. There was no significant relationship between knowledge and age, marital status, academic qualification and occupation. 57.7% have not undergone mammography screening due to lack of awareness or insufficient information, 19.7% and 11.3% was due to lack of physician referral and belief respectively.98.3% of the respondents were of the opinion that mammography screening is beneficial. Therefore, only 2% of the respondents have undergone mammographic screening while total of 98% have not undergone mammographic screening for different reasons. There is poor knowledge and practice of mammographic screening in the study population, though a high attitude was recorded among them.