Suicidal ideation and clinical breast examination among rural women aged 25 to 49 in Senegal

Objectives: Breast cancer is a significant public health concern and early detection through screening is crucial for improved outcomes. Previous studies have highlighted the influence of socio-demographic and economic factors on the uptake of breast cancer examination. An often-overlooked dimension influencing clinical breast examination (CBE) in the literature is mental health. This study investigates the relationship between suicidal ideation and CBE uptake among rural women in Senegal. 

Study design: Cross-sectional study. 

Methods: A sample of 4532 rural women (25–49 years) was drawn from the 2023 Senegal Continuous Demographic and Health Survey data. Clinical breast examination (CBE) and having suicidal thoughts were the outcome and explanatory variables of interest, respectively. We applied a binary logistic multivariable regression model to assess the relationship between suicidal thoughts and CBE. 

Results: Only 19.49 % of the women had a health professional examine their breasts for cancer. Also, 20.08 % of the women have had suicidal thoughts. The study revealed that women with suicidal thoughts were 41 % less likely to undergo CBE compared to those without (AOR = 0.59, 95 % CI: 0.44–0.79). The study further revealed that an increase in wealth, being employed, and frequently listening to the radio are positively associated with the uptake of CBE, whereas older age is negatively associated. 

Conclusions: The negative relationship between suicidal ideation and the uptake of CBE underscores the need to integrate mental health services with preventive health programs like cancer screenings.