Assessment of knowledge, attitude and practice regarding breast self examination among females in Karachi.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the knowledge, attitude and practice regarding breast self-examination among women in an urban setting. METHODS: The Knowledge, Attitude and Practice study was conducted from May to July 2018 at the Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics at Naseer Hussain Shaheed Hospital and the Institute of Infectious Disease, Karachi, and comprised women aged 15 years or above who were attending the outpatient department. Data was collected using a pre-designed questionnaire and was analysed using SPSS 23. RESULTS: There were 385 women with a mean age of 30.09±7.09 years. Overall, 259 (67.3%) subjects had adequate knowledge about breast self-examination, 123 (31.9%) had appropriate practices and 187 (48.6%) had positive attitude. CONCLUSIONS: Overall knowledge level regarding breast self-examination was found to be inadequate.

Assessment of pre-natal and post-natal attitude and practice of family members towards the birth of a female child among people residing in district East, Karachi.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the pre-natal and post-natal attitude and practice of family members towards the birth of a female child among people residing in an urban area. METHODS: The cross-sectional attitude and practice study was conducted from May 2018 to November 2018 in Jamshed Town and Gulshan Town in district East of Karachi, and comprised randomly chosen participants. Data was collected using a pre-tested questionnaire, and was analysed using SPSS 22. RESULTS: Of the 400 subjects, 208(52%) were males, and 387(96.8%) were Muslims. The overall mean age was 46.13±14.75 years. Gender of the subject, relationship with the child, monthly household income and number of family members were significantly associated with consideration of abortion in case of a female foetus (p<0.05). Education of the mother and the number of sons were significantly associated with the reaction at the birth of the first female child (p<0.05), whereas age of the participant, education of the father, number of family members, number of sons and number of daughters were significantly associated with reaction at the birth of subsequent daughter (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Various demographic characteristics were significantly associated with pre-natal and post-natal attitude and practice of family members towards the birth of a female child.