Level of knowledge and behavior of family health personnel workers in Izmir about early diagnosis for breast and cervix cancer.

PURPOSE: The present study was carried out to measure knowledge level and behavior of family health personnel (FHP) in Izmir on early diagnosis of breast and cervical cancers.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study population of this cross-sectional study was not selected. A questionnaire was applied to all FHP to measure knowledge level and behavior about cancer. The participation rate was 88%. Breast examination, mammography analysis, Papanicolaou smear applications were determined as dependent variables, and knowledge level about breast and cervical cancer, age, professional time as FHP as independent variables. Data were evaluated using definitive statistics, chi-square and logistic regression tests in SPSS software package for Windows 15.0.

RESULTS: A total of 970 family health personnel participated in the research. The age range was 20-45 years (82.4%). Mean age was 37.9±7.4. Response rate was 87.3%. Of the participants, 88.4% performed breast self-examination. Rate of performing mammography at least once was 24.1%. Rate of performing Pap-smear examination at least once was 61.0%. In logistic regression analyses, it was determined that people with knowledge on breast and cervical cancer were those performing breast self-examination, mammography and Pap-smear examinations (p<0.05.

CONCLUSIONS: It is essential that the knowledge, behavior and manners of health providers on early diagnosis for cancer increases awareness in the general population and provides information on execution ofthe most effective methods for generating a healthy society.