LB111 - NUTRITION KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDES, AND LIFESTYLE PRACTICES THAT MAY LEAD TO BREAST CANCER RISK REDUCTION AMONG BAHRAINI FEMALES.

LB111

NUTRITION KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDES, AND LIFESTYLE PRACTICES THAT MAY LEAD TO BREAST CANCER RISK REDUCTION AMONG BAHRAINI FEMALES.

S. Allehdan^1,*

¹Biology, University of Bahrain , Zallaq, Bahrain

 

Rationale: Research has identified both nonmodifiable and modifiable risk factors for breast cancer, with increasing evidence suggesting that adopting proper dietary habits may reduce the risk of this disease. This study aimed to evaluate the nutrition knowledge, attitudes, and lifestyle practices that could contribute to lowering BC risk among Bahraini women and to explore the factors influencing these practices.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted from September to December 2024, involving 409 women aged 18 to 40 in Bahrain, selected through snowball sampling. Participants completed a validated questionnaire designed to meet the study's objectives, consisting of 39 questions. The knowledge section included 18 closed-ended questions about breast cancer risk factors related to diet, while the attitude section featured 7 multiple-choice questions assessing beliefs about the impact of diet on breast cancer risk. The practice component utilized a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Data were summarized using descriptive statistics for categorical variables and means with standard deviations for continuous variables. The Chi-square test assessed associations between categorical variables, the independent t-test compared continuous variables, and multiple logistic regression analyses identified sociodemographic factors influencing knowledge, attitudes, and practices. 

Results: A considerable number of the participants demonstrated inadequate knowledge (85.8%) and poor practices (89.7%), while only half exhibited good attitudes (50.4%). Factors such as older age (1.68 (1.02-2.76), p-value = 0.040), being married (1.78 (1.07-2.98), p-value = 0.026), and being non-smokers (1.79 (1.19-2.68), p-value = 0.005), along with having a family history of breast cancer (4.79 (2.00-11.47), p-value <0.001), were significantly linked to positive attitudes toward reducing breast cancer risk. Additionally, having a family history of breast cancer (10.19 (3.61-28.76), p-value < 0.001) and being a non-smoker (79 (2.00-11.47), p-value < 0.001) were associated with better knowledge. However, no significant associations were found between the sociodemographic characteristics of Bahraini females and good nutritional practices aimed at reducing breast cancer risk. 

Conclusion: This study identified significant deficiencies in the knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to nutrition and breast cancer  risk reduction among females in Kingdom of Bahrain. These results highlight the necessity for the development and implementation of targeted awareness campaigns focused on breast cancer and nutrition to improve knowledge and attitudes, as well as to encourage dietary practices that could lower breast cancer risk in this young female. 

References: Deeb, N., Naja, F., Nasreddine, L., Kharroubi, S., Darwiche, N., & Hwalla, N. (2024). Nutrition Knowledge, Attitudes, and Lifestyle Practices That May Lead to Breast Cancer Risk Reduction among Female University Students in Lebanon. Nutrients, 16(7), 1095.

Olodu, M.; Adeomi, A.; Opia, F.; Otuyemi, O.; Ajayi, B.; Rasaq, A. Nutrition and Cancer Prevention: An Assessment of Undergraduates’ Knowledge and Nutritional Practices. Niger. J. Health Sci. 2021, 21, 49–55. 

Raji Lahiji, M.; Dehdari, T.; Shokouhi Shoormasti, R.; Hosseini, A.F.; Navaei, M.; Zarrati, M. Nutrition Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practice towards Breast Cancer Prevention among the Female Population of Iran University of Medical Science Students. Nutr. Cancer 2019, 71, 1355–1364. 

 

 

 

 

 

Disclosure of Interest: None declared