Knowledge of breast cancer among medical students in Syrian Private University, Syria: a cross-sectional study.
Breast Cancer
Knowledge of risk factors
Medical students
Syria
Journal
BMC medical education
ISSN: 1472-6920
Titre abrégé: BMC Med Educ
Pays: England
ID NLM: 101088679
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
01 May 2021
01 May 2021
Historique:
received:
30
04
2020
accepted:
15
04
2021
entrez:
2
5
2021
pubmed:
3
5
2021
medline:
15
5
2021
Statut:
epublish
Résumé
Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women and the second leading cause of cancer death globally. Since early diagnosis is crucial to reducing mortality, high levels of knowledge regarding general information, risk factors, and symptoms are required among healthcare professionals to deliver breast cancer care. This study aimed to determine Syrian medical students' knowledge about breast cancer in the fields of general knowledge, common clinical features, and risk factors. This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Syrian Private University in October 2019 (Breast Cancer Awareness Month), Damascus, during the Syrian war crisis. Data were collected through self-administered surveys and analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 25.0 (SPSS Inc., United States). The chi-square test was applied to assess the relationship between the level of knowledge and gender. One way analysis of variance was performed to assess the overall differences in mean knowledge score by study year, GPA, mother's education, and source of information. Unpaired Student's T-test was used to analyze the differences in mean knowledge scores (continuous variable) based on smoking status and alcohol consumption. Of 320 students, 301 completed the questionnaire (response rate = 94.0%), of which 179(59.5%) were males. The study revealed above-average knowledge scores (total mean = 68.4%) regarding breast cancer, general information (71.9%), common clinical features (71.6%), and risk factors (71.6%). Clinical students (4th, 5th, and 6th years) scored higher compared with pre-clinical students (1st, 2nd, and 3rd years). This study showed above-average knowledge scores regarding breast cancer. More efforts to correct misinformation, through reassessing the university curriculum and promoting awareness about breast cancer are required.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND
Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women and the second leading cause of cancer death globally. Since early diagnosis is crucial to reducing mortality, high levels of knowledge regarding general information, risk factors, and symptoms are required among healthcare professionals to deliver breast cancer care. This study aimed to determine Syrian medical students' knowledge about breast cancer in the fields of general knowledge, common clinical features, and risk factors.
METHODS
METHODS
This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Syrian Private University in October 2019 (Breast Cancer Awareness Month), Damascus, during the Syrian war crisis. Data were collected through self-administered surveys and analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 25.0 (SPSS Inc., United States). The chi-square test was applied to assess the relationship between the level of knowledge and gender. One way analysis of variance was performed to assess the overall differences in mean knowledge score by study year, GPA, mother's education, and source of information. Unpaired Student's T-test was used to analyze the differences in mean knowledge scores (continuous variable) based on smoking status and alcohol consumption.
RESULTS
RESULTS
Of 320 students, 301 completed the questionnaire (response rate = 94.0%), of which 179(59.5%) were males. The study revealed above-average knowledge scores (total mean = 68.4%) regarding breast cancer, general information (71.9%), common clinical features (71.6%), and risk factors (71.6%). Clinical students (4th, 5th, and 6th years) scored higher compared with pre-clinical students (1st, 2nd, and 3rd years).
CONCLUSION
CONCLUSIONS
This study showed above-average knowledge scores regarding breast cancer. More efforts to correct misinformation, through reassessing the university curriculum and promoting awareness about breast cancer are required.
Identifiants
pubmed: 33933051
doi: 10.1186/s12909-021-02673-0
pii: 10.1186/s12909-021-02673-0
pmc: PMC8088684
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
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