Maternal Healthcare Service Utilization and Clinical Breast Examination Uptake Among Ghanaian Women Aged 25-49 Years: A Population-Based Cross-Sectional Study
1
School of Human and Health Sciences, University of Huddersfield, Queensgate, Huddersfield, England, United Kingdom
2
School of Biomedical and Allied Health Science, Department of Dietetics, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer in Ghana, accounting for 18.4% of all cancer cases in both sexes, and 31.4% of cancers in women. Early detection through breast examination facilitates diagnosis, treatment, and improves survivorship and quality of life. Previous studies have identified chronic conditions, reproductive factors, and socio-demographic predictors of CBE uptake. However, little is known of how women’s utilization of maternal healthcare services can serve as a facilitator or barrier to screening uptake. Hence, this study investigates the association between maternal healthcare service utilization and CBE uptake among Ghanaian women aged 25-49 years.
METHODS:
Using the 2022 Demographic and Health Survey, the study analysed the data of 3,801 women with complete data on maternal healthcare utilization and CBE uptake. Maternal healthcare utilization comprised ANC attendance and healthcare facility delivery. A stepwise approach was followed to fit the multivariable logistic regression. The analyses were performed in STATA 18.
RESULTS:
Only 21.3 percent of women had undergone CBE. The prevalence of CBE uptake was higher among women who delivered in the healthcare facility (23.3%) and received at least eight ANC visits (25.9%). ANC attendance of at least 8 visits showed a significantly positive association with CBE uptake (AOR=1.26; 95% CI: 1.05-1.50). Delivering at a healthcare facility was associated with higher screening uptake (AOR=1.53; 95% CI: 1.12-2.08). Other significant confounders were increasing age, higher educational attainment, higher wealth index, and exposure to media.
CONCLUSIONS:
Strengthening ANC services to ensure women receive a minimum of eight visits, along with providing comprehensive breast health education, can significantly improve CBE uptake. Such breast health education must target women who do not deliver at the health facility, younger women and those from poor households. Keywords: Maternal Healthcare; Breast Cancer; Screening; Public Health; Health Service Utilization
Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer in Ghana, accounting for 18.4% of all cancer cases in both sexes, and 31.4% of cancers in women. Early detection through breast examination facilitates diagnosis, treatment, and improves survivorship and quality of life. Previous studies have identified chronic conditions, reproductive factors, and socio-demographic predictors of CBE uptake. However, little is known of how women’s utilization of maternal healthcare services can serve as a facilitator or barrier to screening uptake. Hence, this study investigates the association between maternal healthcare service utilization and CBE uptake among Ghanaian women aged 25-49 years.
METHODS:
Using the 2022 Demographic and Health Survey, the study analysed the data of 3,801 women with complete data on maternal healthcare utilization and CBE uptake. Maternal healthcare utilization comprised ANC attendance and healthcare facility delivery. A stepwise approach was followed to fit the multivariable logistic regression. The analyses were performed in STATA 18.
RESULTS:
Only 21.3 percent of women had undergone CBE. The prevalence of CBE uptake was higher among women who delivered in the healthcare facility (23.3%) and received at least eight ANC visits (25.9%). ANC attendance of at least 8 visits showed a significantly positive association with CBE uptake (AOR=1.26; 95% CI: 1.05-1.50). Delivering at a healthcare facility was associated with higher screening uptake (AOR=1.53; 95% CI: 1.12-2.08). Other significant confounders were increasing age, higher educational attainment, higher wealth index, and exposure to media.
CONCLUSIONS:
Strengthening ANC services to ensure women receive a minimum of eight visits, along with providing comprehensive breast health education, can significantly improve CBE uptake. Such breast health education must target women who do not deliver at the health facility, younger women and those from poor households. Keywords: Maternal Healthcare; Breast Cancer; Screening; Public Health; Health Service Utilization
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
We process personal data collected when visiting the website. The function of obtaining information about users and their behavior is carried out by voluntarily entered information in forms and saving cookies in end devices. Data, including cookies, are used to provide services, improve the user experience and to analyze the traffic in accordance with the Privacy policy. Data are also collected and processed by Google Analytics tool (more).
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.
