Lay perceptions of breast cancer in Western Kenya

AIM: To explore lay perceptions of causes, severity, presenting symptoms and treatment of breast cancer. METHODS: In October-November 2012, we recruited men and women(18 years and older) from households and health facilities in three different parts of Western Kenya, chosen for variations in their documented burdens of breast cancer. A standardized and validated tool,the breast cancer awareness measure(BCAM), was administered in face-to-face interviews. Survey domains covered included socio-demographics, opinions about causes, symptoms, severity, and treatment of breast cancer. Descriptive analyses were done on quantitative data while open-ended answers were coded, and emerging themes were integrated into larger categories in a qualitative analysis. The open-ended questions had been added to the standard BCAM for the purposes of learning as much as the investigators could about underlying lay beliefs and perceptions. RESULTS: Most respondents were female, middle-aged(mean age 36.9 years), married, and poorly educated. Misconceptions and lack of knowledge about causes of breast cancer were reported. The following(in order of higher to lower prevalence) were cited as potential causes of the condition: Genetic factors or heredity(n = 193, 12.3%); types of food consumed(n = 187, 11.9%); witchcraft and curses(n = 108, 6.9%); some family planning methods(n = 56, 3.6%); and use of alcohol and tobacco(n = 46, 2.9%). When asked what they thought of breast cancer's severity, the most popular response was "it is a killer disease"(n = 266, 19.7%) a lethal condition about which little or nothing can be done. While opinions about presenting symptoms and signs of breast cancer were able to be elicited, such as an increase in breast size and painful breasts, earlystage symptoms and signs were not widely recognized. Some respondents(14%) were ignorant of available treatment altogether while others felt breast cancer treatment is both dangerous and expensive. A minority reported alternative medicine as providing relief to patients. CONCLUSION: The impoverished knowledge in these surveys suggests that lay education as well as better screening and treatment should be part of breast cancer control in Kenya.

Knowledge,access and utilization of bednets among stable and seasonal migrants in an artemisinin resistance containment area of Myanmar

Background:Myanmar lies in the Greater Mekong sub-region of South-East Asia faced with the challenge of emerging resistance to artemisinin combination therapies(ACT).Migrant populations are more likely than others to spread ACT resistance.A vital intervention to reduce malaria transmission,resistance spread and eliminate malaria is the use of bed nets.Among seasonal and stable migrants in an artemisinin resistance containment region of Myanmar,we compared a)their household characteristics,b)contact with health workers and information material,and c)household knowledge,access and utilization of bed nets.Methods:Secondary data from community-based surveys on 2484 migrant workers(2013 and 2014,Bago Region)were analyzed of which 37%were seasonal migrants.Bed net access and utilization were assessed using a)availability of at least one bed net per household,and b)one bed net per two persons,and c)proportion of household members who slept under abed net during the previous night(Indicator targets=100%).Results:Over 70%of all migrants were from unstable work settings with short transitory stays.Average household size was five(range 1-25)and almost half of all households had children under-five years.Roughly 10%of migrants were night-time workers.Less than 40%of households had contact with health workers and less than 30%had exposure to information education and communication(IEC)materials,the latter being significantly lower among seasonal migrants.About 70%of households were aware of the importance of insecticide-treated bed-nets/long-lasting insecticidal nets(ITNs/LLINs),but knowledge on insecticide impregnation and retreatment of ITNs was poor(<10%).Although over 95%of households had access to at least one bed net,the number with one bed net per two persons was grossly inadequate(13%for stable migrants and 9%for seasonal migrants,P=0.001).About half of all household members slept under a bed net during the previous night.Conclusions:This study reveals important short-falls in knowledge,access and utilization of bed nets among migrants in Myanmar.Possible ways forward include frequent distribution campaigns to compensate for short transitory stays,matching household distributions to household size,enhanced information campaigns and introducing legislation to make mosquito repellents available for night-time workers at plantations and farms.Better understanding through qualitative research is also merited.

Assessment of household ownership of bed nets in areas with and without artemisinin resistance containment measures in Myanmar

Background:Myanmar lies in the Greater Mekong Subregion where there is artemisinin-resistant Plasmodium falciparum malaria.As the artemisinin compound is the pillar of effective antimalarial therapies,containing the spread of artemisinin resistance is a national and global priority.The use of insecticide-treated bed nets/long-lasting insecticidal nets(ITNs/LLINs)is the key intervention for ensuring the reduction of malaria transmission and the spread of resistant strains,and for eventually eliminating malaria.This study aimed at assessing household ownership of,access to,and utilization of bed nets in areas of Myanmar with and without artemisinin resistance containment measures.Methods:Secondary data from a nationwide community-based malaria survey conducted by the National Malaria Control Program in 2014 were analyzed.Based on evidence of artemisinin resistance,Myanmar was divided into tiers 1,2,and 3:townships in tiers 1 and 2 were aggregated as the Myanmar Artemisinin Resistance Containment(MARC)areas and were compared with tier 3 townships,which were defined as non-MARC areas.The chi-square test was used to compare groups,and the level of significance was set at P≤0.05.Results:Of the 6328 households assessed,97.2%in both MARC and non-MARC areas had at least one bed net(any type),but only 63%of households had ITNs/LLINs.Only 44%of households in MARC areas and 24%in non-MARC areas had adequate numbers of ITNs/LLINs(one ITN/LLIN per two persons,P<0.001).Nearly 44%of household members had access to ITNs/LLINs.Regarding the utilization of ITNs/LLINs,45%of household members used them in MARC areas and 36%used them in non-MARC areas(P<0.001,desired target=100%).Utilization of ITNs/LLINs among children aged below five years and pregnant women(high malaria risk groups)was low,at 44%and 42%,respectively.Conclusions:This study highlights the nationwide shortfalls in the ownership of,access to,and utilization of ITNs/LLINs in Myanmar,which is of particular concern in terms of containing the spread of artemisinin resistance.It highlights the need for priority attention to be paid and mobilization of resources in order to improve bed net coverage and utilization through bed net distribution and/or social marketing,information dissemination,and awareness-raising.