Knowledge, attitude, and practice toward ultrasound screening for breast cancer among women.

Background: Several obstacles can hinder breast cancer screening. This study aimed to investigate the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) toward ultrasound screening for breast cancer in women.

Methods: This cross-sectional study recruited women who visited the breast specialist clinic of Zhongshan City People's Hospital (a tertiary hospital) between August 2022 and April 2023 through convenience sampling. KAP scores ≥70% were considered adequate.

Results: This study enrolled 501 participants. The mean knowledge, attitude, and practice levels were 8.56 ± 1.81/12 (possible range 0-12, 71.33%), 29.80 ± 2.71 (possible range 8-40, 74.50%), and 32.04 ± 3.09 (possible range 8-40, 80.10%). Senior high school education (vs. junior high school and below, coefficient = 1.531, 95%CI: 1.013-2.312,  = 0.044), bachelor's education and above (vs. junior high school and below, coefficient = 5.315, 95%CI: 3.546-7.966,  < 0.001), housewife or unemployed (vs. employed, coefficient = 0.671, 95%CI: 0.466-0.966,  = 0.032), and a history of breast ultrasound (vs. no, coefficient = 1.466, 95%CI: 1.121-1.917,  = 0.005) were independently and positively associated with knowledge. Knowledge (coefficient = 1.303, 95%CI: 1.100-1.544,  = 0.002) and monthly income >10,000 (vs. <5,000, coefficient = 4.364, 95%CI: 1.738-10.956,  = 0.002) were independently and positively associated with attitude. Only attitude (coefficient = 1.212, 95%CI: 1.096-1.340,  < 0.001) was independently and positively associated with the practice. A structural equation modeling (SEM) analysis was used to estimate causality among KAP dimensions, showing that knowledge directly influenced attitude ( = -1.090,  = 0.015), knowledge did not directly influence practice ( = -0.117,  = 0.681) but had an indirect influence ( = 0.826,  = 0.028), and attitude directly influenced practice ( = -0.757,  = 0.016).

Conclusion: Women in Zhongshan City had good knowledge, favorable attitudes, and active practice toward breast ultrasound screening for breast cancer. Women's characteristics associated with a poorer KAP were identified, allowing for more targeted interventions.