Knowledge and Attitudes of Ecuadorian Women on Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention

<strong>Background:</strong> knowledge about the prevention of breast cancer and cervical cancer and carrying out preventive examinations are fundamental elements to reduce the risk of developing the disease. <br /><strong>Objective:</strong> to evaluate the level of kn...

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Main Authors: María Teresa Peñaherrera Ron, Patricio Jaramillo Guerrero, José Sixto Calvopiña del Castillo
Format: Article
Language:Spanish
Published: Universidad de las Ciencias Médicas de Cienfuegos 2023-10-01
Series:Revista Finlay
Subjects:
Online Access:https://revfinlay.sld.cu/index.php/finlay/article/view/1306
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author María Teresa Peñaherrera Ron
Patricio Jaramillo Guerrero
José Sixto Calvopiña del Castillo
author_facet María Teresa Peñaherrera Ron
Patricio Jaramillo Guerrero
José Sixto Calvopiña del Castillo
author_sort María Teresa Peñaherrera Ron
collection DOAJ
description <strong>Background:</strong> knowledge about the prevention of breast cancer and cervical cancer and carrying out preventive examinations are fundamental elements to reduce the risk of developing the disease. <br /><strong>Objective:</strong> to evaluate the level of knowledge about breast cancer and cervical cancer of ecuadorian women and to know their attitudes towards performing preventive examinations. <br /><strong>Methods:</strong> a descriptive, retrospective study was carried out. The sample was made up of 297 women of different age ranges, selected at random, residing in both urban and rural areas. The technique used to collect the data was a questionnaire developed for this purpose that included open and closed questions. The results were subjected to statistical analysis. A Chi-square test was used to test for correlations in the study population. The accepted level of statistical significance was α=0.05. The results were presented in quantities and percentages. <br /><strong>Results:</strong> the majority of women surveyed had general knowledge about cancers of the female reproductive system, but a smaller percentage was familiar with prevention principles. It was found that many women performed breast self-examinations, while a considerable number underwent mammography and breast ultrasound, with variable frequency, in addition, the majority had performed a cytological examination at least once in the last period, however, a small group of women did not remember when their last visit to the gynecologist had been. <br /><strong>Conclusions:</strong> the women surveyed showed an adequate level of basic knowledge about the prevention of breast cancer and cervical cancer. Women living in rural areas have less information compared to those living in urban areas, although no statistically significant differences were observed. In general, ecuadorian women undergo gynecological and cytological examinations, although they use breast ultrasound and mammography less frequently. The results point to less access to these tests by women in rural areas.
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spelling doaj.art-9adb762122ee45b58dca59ebd5b1b9c72024-02-21T02:59:21ZspaUniversidad de las Ciencias Médicas de CienfuegosRevista Finlay2221-24342023-10-011335261659Knowledge and Attitudes of Ecuadorian Women on Breast and Cervical Cancer PreventionMaría Teresa Peñaherrera Ron0Patricio Jaramillo Guerrero1José Sixto Calvopiña del Castillo2Universidad Regional Autónoma de los Andes. Ambato. Ecuador.Universidad Regional Autónoma de los Andes. Santo Domingo. Ecuador.Universidad Regional Autónoma de los Andes. Ambato. Ecuador.<strong>Background:</strong> knowledge about the prevention of breast cancer and cervical cancer and carrying out preventive examinations are fundamental elements to reduce the risk of developing the disease. <br /><strong>Objective:</strong> to evaluate the level of knowledge about breast cancer and cervical cancer of ecuadorian women and to know their attitudes towards performing preventive examinations. <br /><strong>Methods:</strong> a descriptive, retrospective study was carried out. The sample was made up of 297 women of different age ranges, selected at random, residing in both urban and rural areas. The technique used to collect the data was a questionnaire developed for this purpose that included open and closed questions. The results were subjected to statistical analysis. A Chi-square test was used to test for correlations in the study population. The accepted level of statistical significance was α=0.05. The results were presented in quantities and percentages. <br /><strong>Results:</strong> the majority of women surveyed had general knowledge about cancers of the female reproductive system, but a smaller percentage was familiar with prevention principles. It was found that many women performed breast self-examinations, while a considerable number underwent mammography and breast ultrasound, with variable frequency, in addition, the majority had performed a cytological examination at least once in the last period, however, a small group of women did not remember when their last visit to the gynecologist had been. <br /><strong>Conclusions:</strong> the women surveyed showed an adequate level of basic knowledge about the prevention of breast cancer and cervical cancer. Women living in rural areas have less information compared to those living in urban areas, although no statistically significant differences were observed. In general, ecuadorian women undergo gynecological and cytological examinations, although they use breast ultrasound and mammography less frequently. The results point to less access to these tests by women in rural areas.https://revfinlay.sld.cu/index.php/finlay/article/view/1306prevención de enfermedadescáncer de mamacáncer del cuello uterino
spellingShingle María Teresa Peñaherrera Ron
Patricio Jaramillo Guerrero
José Sixto Calvopiña del Castillo
Knowledge and Attitudes of Ecuadorian Women on Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention
Revista Finlay
prevención de enfermedades
cáncer de mama
cáncer del cuello uterino
title Knowledge and Attitudes of Ecuadorian Women on Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention
title_full Knowledge and Attitudes of Ecuadorian Women on Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention
title_fullStr Knowledge and Attitudes of Ecuadorian Women on Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention
title_full_unstemmed Knowledge and Attitudes of Ecuadorian Women on Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention
title_short Knowledge and Attitudes of Ecuadorian Women on Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention
title_sort knowledge and attitudes of ecuadorian women on breast and cervical cancer prevention
topic prevención de enfermedades
cáncer de mama
cáncer del cuello uterino
url https://revfinlay.sld.cu/index.php/finlay/article/view/1306
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