Tendencia del conocimiento y práctica del autoexamen de mama según perfil demográfico

Objective: To describe the trend of knowledge and practice of breast self-examination in women of reproductive age according to their demographic profile from 2009 to 2013. Methods: Observational, descriptive, and longitudinal study, based on the analysis of databases of the Demographic and Family Health Survey from 2009 to 2013. Weighted and unweighted estimates were made. Results: The proportion of women with knowledge of breast self-examination increased from 37.7% in 2009 to 50.6% in 2013. The practice among those who knew it decreased from 78.3 to 76.3%. In the study period, knowledge increased in women with higher education (73.8 to 76.1%), in urban areas (48.5 to 58.9%), and with the very rich and rich wealth index (67.4 to 71.1%). The practice decreased in those aged 15 to 17 years (82.6 to 48.7%) and urban areas (79.6 to 76.5%). Conclusions: Knowledge of breast self-examination has shown a growing trend in the five years of study; meanwhile, the practice among those who do know the technique has remained similar in the same period.