Connaissances des facteurs de risque et pratiques de dépistage du cancer du sein en milieu rural ; Province de Taounate

Summary Introduction: In Morocco, breast cancer accounts for 34.3% of all female cancers. Its standardized incidence is 30 per 100,000 women per year. The objective of this study was to test the knowledge of women about breast cancer risk factors and modes of detection of this cancer. Methodology: This was a cross sectional study conducted between May and June 2013 among women living in rural areas of the province of Taounate. Results: The average age of the participants was 42, 2±14, 66 years. They were married (54%), with no professional activity (83.30%), medium socioeconomic level (67.33%) uneducated (62.67%), without health insurance (68.67%) and had a history of breast cancer (4.67%). 76.67% of women were informed about breast cancer and the dominant source was medical staff (48.7%). advanced age was the best known risk factor (76%) and abnormal breast enlargement was the best known symptom (74.7%). Self-examination of the breasts was practiced in 62.7%. A statistically significant association was found between the dependent variable (knowledge of risk factors and symptoms of breast cancer) and age (p <0.01); professional occupation (p <0.01); life couple (p = 0.01); high socioeconomic level (p <0.01); Education Background (p <0.0001), acceptance of the clinical breast exam and social security (p = 0.004). Conclusion: This study found that the level of knowledge of participants on Knowledge of risk factors and breast cancer screening practices was low. Only 30.67% of participants had a score of ≥ 50 knowledge.