Table 2 Summary of study characteristics and findings

Agyemang (2020)

[13]

National:

Community setting.

Cross-sectional study

Estimated the prevalence of and identifying the factors that predict BCS among older adult women in Ghana.

Women (n = 2032).

Age: > 50 years

No specific type indicated

An estimated 4.5% of women practice BCS. Cervical cancer screening, primary level education were predictors of BCS.

Amenuke-Edusei (2020)

[25]

Greater Accra region: Community setting.

Cross-sectional study

To explore the influence of sociodemographic characteristics, access to healthcare providers, and physicians’ recommendations on Ghanaian women’s BCS practices.

Women (n = 194)

Age: ≥ 18 years

BSE, and MM

136 (70%) practiced BSE. 82 (42%) practiced BSE once a month. Sixteen (13.7%) had undergone mammography. Routine medical check-up. Barriers to mammography screening included did not have signs of BC, not being aware of breast screening, and not receiving physician recommendations. Physicians’ recommendations, increasing age, and household monthly income were significant predictors of BCS.

More than three-quarters (n = 148) knew how to perform BSE. Half (n = 99) attributed their knowledge to health care providers.

Boafo (2019)

[26]

Greater Accra region: University community setting.

Cross-sectional study

Examined the factors which influence the performance of BSE among female undergraduate students at the University of Ghana.

Female University students (n = 308). Age: ≥20 years

BSE

Performance of BSE was associated with good knowledge of BC, BSE perceived barriers, higher self-efficacy.

Bonsu (2019)

[27]

Ashanti region: Hospital setting.

Cross-sectional study

To describe BC knowledge, beliefs, attitudes, and screening efforts by micro-community of advanced BC patients in Ghana.

Women (n = 67)

Age: ≥18 years

BSE and CBE

Contraceptive use, age at menarche, history of BC, and positive beliefs were associated with BCS.

Half of the participants had positive knowledge of BCS. High knowledge about BC enhanced BSE practices.

Buunaaim (2020)

[28]

Northern region:

Hospital and community setting.

Cross-sectional study

To assess the knowledge of BC and the practice of BSE among females in the Tamale Metropolis of Northern Ghana.

Women (n = 1122).

Age: ≥18 years

BSE

Most of the participants, 714 (63.3%), had ever performed BSE. BSE practice increased with increasing reproductive age.

The majority (87%) of the participants had prior knowledge about BSE. The Source of knowledge was from the mass media, health care providers, and friends.

Calys-Tagoe (2020)

[29]

National: Community setting.

Cross-sectional study

To determine the uptake of mammography among Ghanaian women aged 40 years or older and to examine critical risk factors that influence the uptake.

women (n = 2301).

Age: ≥40 years

MM

83 (3.61%) have ever had mammography. Age and ethnic group were associated with mammography examination. Women aged _70 years had lower odds of having mammography examinations.

Dadzi (2019)

[30]

Volta region: Community setting.

Cross-sectional study

Assessed the awareness, knowledge, and practices of BSE as a method of prevention and early diagnosis of BC among reproductive-aged women in Akatsi South district in the Volta Region of Ghana.

Women (n = 385).

Age: ≥8 years

BSE

The majority 279 (72.5%) reported not practicing BSE. Among those who practiced BSE, most 62(58.5%) reported performing BSE every month, 27(25.5%) examined the breast once every year. Reasons for not practicing are; do not know the techniques in BSE, do not have breast problems. Did not need BSE. Predictors of BSE were higher age with a lower practice of BSE, good knowledge of BC was a predictor of BSE.

Only 165 (43.3%) knew what BSE was. The source of knowledge was from the health care provider, relatives, friends, and books.

Fiador (2018)^*

[31]

Greater Accra region:

University community setting.

Cross-sectional study

to assess Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Breast self-examination (BSE) among female students of the University of Ghana

Female university students (343).

Age: ≥18 years

BSE

61% practiced BSE. 16.9% practiced monthly. Predictors included increasing age, knowledge of BSE, level of Study. Barriers to BSE practice included having no reason, lack of knowledge, forgetfulness, fear to find a mass.

89.9% heard of BSE. Source of information; mass media, health professionals.

Ghansah (2019)^*

[32]

Greater Accra region:

Hospital setting.

Cross-sectional study

To assess the knowledge of BC, BCS practices, and health beliefs among female clinicians in two municipal hospitals in Accra.

Female clinicians (n = 283).

Age: ≥18 years

BSE, CBE, and MM

Practiced BSE (77.4%,), CBE (21.6%) and Mammogram screening (1.1%). Medical doctors had the highest proportion of those who practice BSE 23(95.8%). General nurses are the second highest group with a proportion of 108 (81.2%) followed by the midwives with 81 (73.6%).

Most of the participants knew about BSE 95.4%). About 69% of the participants knew about CBE. Mammogram screening was known by about 54% of the participants.

Gyedu (2017)

[33]

Ashanti region: Community setting.

Cross-sectional study

To characterize distinct differences in breast health engagement, perceptions, and participation of Ghanaian Muslim women compared with Christian women.

Women (n = 771).

Age: ≥ 8 years

BSE and CBE

Four hundred nineteen women (54%) responded that they have been taught how to perform BSE, of which 356 (85%) answered that they have performed BSE at least once, 278 (66%) had performed BSE at least once per year, and 252 (60%) had performed BSE the recommended one time per month. Only 291 women (38%) had ever undergone CBE. Within groups, 217 Christian women (64%) had undergone CBE compared with only 74 Muslim women (17%; P,.001).

Kudzawu (2016)

[34]

Greater Accra region: Community setting.

Mixed method study

To determine the knowledge and practices of BSE among market women at Makola shopping mall in Accra.

Women (n = 170). Age: ≥18 years

BSE

Most women performed BSE but the minority who did not perform BSE was because they did not know how to do it, it was not necessarily religious faith. Most of the women performed BSE because they wanted to detect breast lumps early and fear death.

BSE awareness was high among women (158 (93%)). The source of awareness was health care providers and the media (radio and television).

Opoku (2012)

[35]

Greater Accra and Brong Ahafo region (Sunyani).

Mixed-method study

Determined population-based rates of reported BCS and assessed breast cancer-related knowledge, attitudes, beliefs among Ghanaian women and explore their relation to screening practices in the study areas.

Women (BC patients and health women) (n = 474)

Age:≥18 years

BSE, CBE, and MM

Self-reported BSE was 32%, CBE was estimated at 12% while mammogram was 2%. knowledge about BC, higher education was associated with BCS practices.

Osei-Afriyie (2021)

[36]

Volta region:

University community setting.

Cross-sectional study

The study aimed to explore the awareness, risk factors, and self-reported screening practices of BC among female undergraduate students.

Female University students (n = 385).

Age: 22 ± 2.78.

BSE, CBE, and MM

212 (55.1%) ever had one method of breast cancer screening. 164 (42.6%) practiced BSE, 39(10.2%) had undergone CBE, and 9 (2.3%) had mammography. Reasons for not practicing BSE was: not knowing how to perform it, having no family history of Bc, not being at risk of breast cancer. Women who were between 25 and 29 years old were 5.13 times more likely to perform regular BSE compared to those less than 20 years. Those who did not know their risk level were less likely to perform regular BSE.

Sarfo (2013)

[37]

Ashanti region: University community setting.

Cross-sectional study

To determine the knowledge, attitude, and practice of BSE among female university students.

Female university students (n = 250).

Age: ≥18 years

BSE

76% performed BSE. 31% performed BSE monthly, 21% stated they performed BSE at random. 62% stated some days after menstruation. Reasons for not performing BSE: have no time, not necessary.

95% stated they knew breast cancer and BSE. 80% knew how to perform BSE. Source of knowledge: media.