Association of Sociodemographic Factors, Breast Cancer Fear, and Perceived Self-Efficacy With Breast Cancer Screening Behaviors Among Middle-Aged Nigerian Women

INTRODUCTION: Breast cancer (BC) is a major public health problem among women. However, BC screening uptake is abysmally low among Nigerian women. This study evaluated the association of BC fear and perceived self-efficacy with BC screening (clinical breast exam [CBE] and mammography) among middle-aged Nigerian women. METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among middle-aged women in Enugu State, southeast Nigeria. The data were collected between September 2019 and February 2020. The BC screening uptake, fear, and self-efficacy were assessed using the validated Breast Cancer Screening Questionnaire (BCSQ), Champion Breast Cancer Fear Scale (CBCFS), and Champion's Mammography Self-Efficacy Scale (CMSES). Data were analyzed using frequencies and percentages, chi-square test, and univariate analysis of variance. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression models were used to examine independent associations between selected sociodemographic factors, cancer fear, perceived self-efficacy, and BC screening. RESULTS: The mean age of the participants was 55.3 years (SD: 5.75). More than half of the women (51%) reported having a BC screening in the past 12 months. However, only 12.5% and 16.9% reported having a CBE or mammogram in the past 12 months. The prevalence of a high, moderate, and low level of fear was 68%, 22.3%, and 9.8%, respectively. The prevalence of a high, moderate, and low self-efficacy level was 50.6%, 37.5%, and 12.0%, respectively. The multivariable logistics regression analysis showed that women aged 50-59 years and 60-64 years were 3.5 times (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 3.50, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.07-5.89, P < .0001), and 5.92 times (AOR = 5.92 95% CI: 2.63-13.35, P < .0001), respectively, more likely to perform mammogram than those aged 40-49 years. Women with a high level of self-efficacy were 2.68 times (AOR = 2.68, 95% CI: 1.15-6.26, P < .0001) more likely to use mammographic screening than those with low self-efficacy. Although not statistically significant, women with a moderate level of BC fear were 0.56 times less likely to use mammogram than women with a low level of BC fear. CONCLUSION: A low proportion of women underwent CBE or mammography. Women had a high level of BC fear and a moderate level of self-efficacy for BC screening. The findings emphasize the need for health educational and psychosocial interventions that improve self-efficacy and promote regular BC screening among middle-aged women.