Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41134801›Full record

ArticlePloS one2025

Knowledge and practice of breast self-examination and associated factors among women with breast cancer in Kabul, Afghanistan.

Mohadeseh Ahmadi, Arash Nemat, Rohullah Sakhi, Atefa Ahmadi, Mursal Massoud, Elaha Ebadi, Mashhodullah Zahid, Arezu Nasrati, Raihana Amiri

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In one paragraph

Article in PloS one, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Mohadeseh AhmadiFaculty of Medicine, School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0003-1440-6909
Arash NematFaculty of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.
Rohullah SakhiFaculty of Public Health, Kabul University of Medical Sciences, Kabul, Afghanistan.
Atefa AhmadiFaculty of Allied Health Sciences, Kabul University of Medical Sciences, Kabul, Afghanistan.
Mursal MassoudPremier Urgence, Aide Medical International, Kabul, Afghanistan.
Elaha EbadiElaha Ebadi, Health Specialist, Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit, Kabul, Afghanistan.
Mashhodullah ZahidFaculty of Public Health, Kabul University of Medical Sciences, Kabul, Afghanistan.
Arezu NasratiPremier Urgence, Aide Medical International, Kabul, Afghanistan.
Raihana AmiriFaculty of Public Health, Kabul University of Medical Sciences, Kabul, Afghanistan.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundBreast cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality among women worldwide, and it has poor prognosis if diagnosed at late stages. Common breast cancer detection methods include mammography, clinical breast exams (CBE), and breast self-examination (BSE). Breast self-examination is the most cost-effective strategy for early detection in low- and middle-income countries.

objectiveTo evaluate the knowledge and practice of breast self-examination, along with associated factors, among women with breast cancer visiting Ali Abad Teaching Hospital in Kabul, Afghanistan in 2025.

methodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted among 290 Afghan women aged 20-80 who were either currently or previously admitted to the Oncology department of Ali Abad Teaching Hospital for regular follow-ups or treatment. Data was collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire between January and February 2025. Chi-square tests were conducted to examine the associations between BSE knowledge, BSE practice, and potential explanatory factors. Those that showed significant associations in the bivariate analyses were considered potential confounders and included in multivariable logistics regression analysis.

resultsThe mean age of participants was 42.9 ± 14.7. Majority of the participants were illiterate (83.8%) and unemployed (95.9%). Women with education of secondary level or higher were more likely to practice BSE than those who were illiterate (AOR: 3.65, 95% CI: 1.06-12.76). Participants with good knowledge level were more likely to practice BSE than those who had a poor knowledge of BSE (AOR: 5.28, 95% CI: 2.45-12.48). In addition, women who had heard of BSE were more likely to practice it compared to those who had not (AOR: 4.31, 95% CI: 1.37-19.25).

conclusionsIn this study, education, knowledge score, and awareness of BSE (i.e., having heard of BSE) were selected as important predictors for practice of BSE via both bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis. While about 50% of participants demonstrated good knowledge of BSE, only 18% were practicing it, and among those who did, only about 30% were performing it at the right time and frequency. These findings highlight the importance of educational programs with an aim to increase breast cancer awareness among women in Afghanistan, and to promote breast self-examination as a low-cost, accessible tool for early detection - helping to alleviate cancer burden in the country.

Indexed as

Breast NeoplasmsBreast Self-ExaminationHealth Knowledge, Attitudes, PracticeAdultAfghanistanAgedAged, 80 and overCross-Sectional StudiesEarly Detection of CancerFemaleHumansMammographyMiddle AgedSurveys and QuestionnairesYoung Adult

Identifiers

PMID41134801
PMCPMC12551836

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LicenceCC BY
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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.