Knowledge, Attitudes, and Barriers to Mammogram Screening Among Northern Saudi Women: A Population-Based Cross-Sectional Study
Mammogram screening (MS) is the most effective method for the early detection of breast cancer (BC), yet uptake of MS is low in Saudi Arabia, especially in traditional regions. This cross-sectional study examined 400 women in Aljouf Province in Saudi Arabia from September 2022 to February 2023 regarding BC knowledge, attitudes toward MS, and perceived barriers to participating in MS. Of the women surveyed, 56.3% had low to medium levels of knowledge of BC, which was significantly related to higher education levels and a history of BC in the family. Most notable barriers to participating in MS included fear of BC diagnosis (50.8%), fear of examination procedures, and cultural issues, notably, becoming embarrassed. A negative correlation was observed between barriers and knowledge; for instance, higher knowledge of BC was related to perceived fewer barriers to MS. In summary, it is important to take a multi-faceted approach to address the deficits in knowledge related to BC and consider culturally sensitive education, improved communication regarding healthcare, and programs aimed at providing better screening measures. Future multicentric studies are suggested to account for the possible qualitative barriers to MS.
