FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH KNOWLEDGE REGARDING OVARIAN CANCER AND OVARIAN CANCER SCREENING AMONG FEMALE STAFF IN UNIVERSITI PUTRA MALAYSIA, MALAYSIA

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Background: Ovarian cancer counts as the 5^th most common cancer among women in Malaysia. Screening available does not cut down the fatality rates and usually detected at a late stage. Many vague risk factors were associated with ovarian cancer, causing late detection.

Materials and Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among 217 female staff in Universiti Putra Malaysia from April to July 2015. Data were collected via self-administered questionnaire which was developed for this study. Chi-square test was used for data analyses.

Result: The level of knowledge and attitude regarding ovarian cancer were poor with a value of 53.5% and 69.1% respondents respectively. The main source of information was books and magazines followed by newspapers and brochures. Significant associations found between level of knowledge regarding ovarian cancer with occupation (ρ<0.005) and family income (ρ<0.005). Significant associations were found between attitude level regarding ovarian cancer with occupation (ρ=0.001) and hormone replacement therapy use (ρ=0.016).

Conclusion: Knowledge and attitude related to ovarian cancer were low among the female staff in Universiti Putra Malaysia. Targeted education should be implemented to improve level of knowledge among staffs.

Keywords: Knowledge, Attitude, Ovarian cancer