Articles

The Relationship Between Knowledge of Breast Cancer and Breast Self-Examination Behavior Among Women of Reproductive Age in Kupang City, Indonesia

Background: Breast cancer remains the most common cancer and a leading cause of cancer-related mortality among women worldwide, including women of reproductive age. Early detection through Breast Self-Examination (BSE), locally known as SADARI, is a simple and cost-effective method, particularly relevant in low-resource settings. Knowledge about breast cancer is considered a key cognitive factor influencing women’s engagement in early detection behaviors.

Objective: This study aimed to determine the relationship between the level of knowledge about breast cancer and Breast Self-Examination behavior among women of reproductive age in Kupang City, Indonesia.

Methods: This study employed an observational analytic design with a cross-sectional approach. The research was conducted in six districts of Kupang City from August to October 2025. The study population consisted of women aged 15–49 years. A total of 100 respondents were selected using proportional random sampling. Data were collected using a validated structured questionnaire measuring breast cancer knowledge and BSE behavior. Data analysis included univariate analysis and bivariate analysis using the Chi-square test, with a significance level set at α = 0.05.

Results: Most respondents demonstrated a moderate level of breast cancer knowledge (68.0%), followed by good (27.0%) and poor knowledge (5.0%). The majority of participants reported supportive BSE behavior (70.0%). Statistical analysis revealed a significant association between breast cancer knowledge and BSE behavior (Chi-square test, p = 0.031).

Conclusion: There is a statistically significant relationship between breast cancer knowledge and Breast Self-Examination behavior among women of reproductive age in Kupang City. Higher levels of knowledge are associated with a greater likelihood of engaging in early detection practices through BSE. Strengthening educational interventions may improve early detection behaviors and contribute to breast cancer prevention efforts.

Differences in Mean Cephalic Index Based on Sex of Timorese in Kupang City, NTT Province

The cephalic index is one of the cephalometric indices that determines the morphological characteristics of the head. The cephalic index is used in different medical fields, including in forensic identification. The cephalic index value is measured based on the head width and length. The cephalic index is affected by sex, age, nutrition, genetics, environment, race and ethnicity. Sex affects the cephalic index by hormones and sexual dimorphism. The Timorese is one of the tribes in Kupang City where research on cephalic index had never been previously conducted.

Differences in the Mean Cephalic Index between the Timorese Ethnic Group and the Mixed Timorese Ethnic Group in Kupang City, East Nusa Tenggara Province

The cephalic index is a head measurement technique by determines the ratio of head size from the maximum length of the skull bone (glabella-opisthocranion) to the maximum width of the skull bone (euryon-euryon). Ethnicity is one of the factors that can affect the shape and size of a person’s head. The Timorese are a tribe that lives on the island of Timor in East Nusa Tenggara Province. Intermarriage between different ethnicities can affect the next generation’s shape and type of head. This is due to the combination of different genetic information from each individual. This study aims to determine whether there is a difference in the mean cephalic index between the Timorese and the mixed Timorese in Kupang City, East Nusa Tenggara Province. This study uses a comparative analytical research design with a cross-sectional design. The sampling technique used was a non-probability sampling method with a consecutive sampling type, with a sample size of 100 people. The data were collected using a screening sheet and measuring the cephalic index directly on research subjects using a spreading caliper. The data analysis used was the independent t-test. The result showed that using an independent t-test, there was no significant difference in the mean cephalic index between the Timorese and mixed Timorese in Kupang City, East Nusa Tenggara Province with p-value = 0.38.

Differences in Mean Cephalic Index Based on Pubertal and Post Pubertal Age Groups in the Timorese in Kupang City

Identification of victims of death due to disasters and accidents is important to fulfill the rights of victims. The identification process is carried out by anthropometric measurements, one of which is the measurement of the cephalic index. Age is one of the factors of the cephalic index value and head shape based on the time of the start of the fusion process in each bone as well as the role of hormones during growth or pubertal. The cephalic index can also serve to monitor indications of the development and growth of a varied population and its distribution and find out if there are abnormalities in the head. This study aims to determine the difference in the mean cephalic index based on the age of pubertal and post-pubertal in the Timorese in Kupang City. This research is comparative analytic with a cross-sectional approach design. The sample selection technique in this study used a concecutive sampling technique with a total sample of 100 people. The research begins with an explanation of the general description of the study, informed consent, and measuring the width and length of the head using spreading caliper. The data analysis used is an independent t-test. From the results of using the independent t-test, there was no significant difference in the mean cephalic index based on the age of pubertal and post-pubertal in the Timorese in Kupang City with a p value = 0.12. There is no significant difference in the mean cephalic index based on the age of pubertal and post-pubertal in the Timorese in Kupang City.