Perceived Importance of Information Needs on Breast Cancer among Adults: a Population-Based Survey in the District of Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Background

Information needs of Breast Cancer (BC) and its perceived importance has not been adequately assessed in Sri Lanka. The present study aimed to assess cognitive information needs of BC among the adults.

Methods

A household survey was conducted among a representative sample (n=1500) of over 18 years of age resident in the district of Colombo not having BC patients in the families. A validated interviewer-administered questionnaire collected information on general and cognitive information needs. Exploratory factor analysis assessed whether any of the aspects of informational needs are redundant and to group the needs.

Results

Mean age of the participants was 37.21 (SD = ±9.7) years. Proportion of females was 51.7%, 82.9% were married and 44.1% had been educated up to General Certificate of Education (GCE) Ordinary Level. Exploratory factor analysis revealed all items of the questionnaire to form two groups that were named as “Factual information on BC prevention and early detection (screening and early diagnosis)” and “Factual information on BC diagnosis and treatment”. Results indicated that both groups of information needs were considered as highly important and the group “Factual information on BC diagnosis and treatment” (mean score 4.20 ± 0.75) was perceived as more important than the other group. The perceived importance of information needs was shown to be significantly different based on the sex of the adults, marital status, level of education and the employment status of the participants.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates that cognitive information needs on BC are viewed as highly important by the general public. The study identified specific informational needs that are perceived as more important and some socio-demographic characteristics that are associated with higher perceived needs. The study recommends taking into account the findings of the study in designing the content and target groups for education on BC.