Awareness and practices of Kuwaiti women toward mammography screening – A cross-sectional study
Fatma A. Hussain, Alaa S. H. F. Almutairi, Athoub S. AlKandari, Bibi A. B. Naser, Manal F. A. S. Almutairi, Sarah M. Sabzali, Zainab S. A. H. Alhaddad, Zainab A. Akbar, Zainab M. Baqer
A
BSTRACT
Introduction:
Breast cancer is a prevalent malignancy worldwide that is linked to high morbidity and mortality. The mammography program aims to mitigate the incidence of breast cancer by providing screening for eligible women. This study aimed to determine awareness and practices regarding mammography screening among Kuwaiti women.
Methods:
A cross-sectional study was conducted among Kuwaiti women aged 40–69 years. A multistage sampling technique was adopted; one primary healthcare center was chosen randomly from each governorate, and a convenience sampling was performed. Participants completed a self-administered questionnaire.
Results:
A total of 365 women were included; half were aged 40–50 years (49.6%) and had a bachelor’s degree (50.1%). Most participants were married (72.3%), and 44.1% reported a family history of breast cancer. Although most women were aware of the mammography program (88.5%), only 38.9% and 47.0% correctly identified the recommended age and interval. Only 41.6% underwent mammography. Older age (
Conclusion:
Although awareness of the mammography screening program was high, knowledge of screening recommendations and compliance remains suboptimal. Fear, discomfort, and anxiety about results were major barriers to participation. Targeted educational programs are needed to improve mammography uptake among Kuwaiti women.