Document Type

Article

Department

General Surgery (East Africa)

Abstract

Background Menstrual hygiene products (MHPs) may offer a high-reach, frequent, long-lasting yet underutilized channel for health education, particularly in low-resource settings. This study aimed to explore women’s breast health awareness (BHA) and their attitudes towards and preferences for BHA messages on MHPs.

Methods Women aged 18–49 years in Ghana and Tanzania (n = 438; 216 Ghana, 222 Tanzania), stratified by age and urban/rural setting, completed a questionnaire assessing socio-demographics, BHA, and preferences for BHA messages with MHP. BHA was assessed with an adapted 31-item Breast Cancer Awareness Measure Tool covering 4 domains: breast cancer signs and symptoms, confidence, skills, and behaviour in noticing breast changes, anticipated help-seeking delays, and risk factors. Items were scored on a 10-point scale.

Results Here we show that overall BHA is slightly higher in Ghana than Tanzania (urban/rural: 6.2/6.4 vs. 5.6/5.3). Awareness is highest for signs and symptoms (median score range hereafter: 5.5–7.8) and lowest for risk factors (2.0–3.8). While women show confidence in noticing breast changes (8.0–10.0) and seeking help (10–10), their skills are insufficient (1.0–5.0) and previous help-seeking behaviours were low (0–0). Women would overwhelmingly (91%) choose MHPs with BHA messages over MHPs without, preferring varied presenting formats, mostly between outside of the package, on individual pad covers, and a leaflet.

Conclusions Findings highlight generally low BHA level in Ghana and Tanzania. The strong acceptability of having BHA messages on MHP presents a scalable and sustainable opportunity to improve BHA with the goal of reducing BC incidence and mortality.

Publication (Name of Journal)

Communication Medicine

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1038/s43856-026-01522-9

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