KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE OF BREAST SELF-EXAMINATION AMONG FEMALE UNDERGRADUATES OF ALVAN IKOKU FEDERAL COLLEGE OF EDUCATION OWERRI, IMO STATE.
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Breast cancer is a disease in which malignant cells form in the tissues of the breast. Cancer of the breast is an important public health problem in Nigeria and studies have reported low levels of awareness and practice of breast self-examination as an important method of prevention. Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in developing and developed countries. It is is now the commonest malignancy affecting women in Nigeria. Despite the fact that breast self-examination, a cheap method for early detection, is available, breast cancer still claims the lives of young women. . Breast self-examination refers to a monthly examination or screening method a woman uses in an attempt to detect breast cancer early.
Objective: To assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of breast-self examination among female undergraduates of Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education Owerri, Imo state.
Methodology: A cross-sectional descriptive study among female undergraduates of Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education Owerri, Imo State was carried out with a calculated sample size of 390. Data was collected using an English Language semi-structured self-administered questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS/IBM version 25. Simple random sampling technique by balloting was used in the selection of study participants.
Results: A total of 390 respondents participated in this study. Majority of the respondents were between the ages of 16 - 25 years. The mean age of respondents was 18.30 with standard deviation of 4.6 years. Most of the respondents 350(89.7%) had heard about breast self-examination with only 49.5% having adequate knowledge about BSE. Though majority 331 (84.9%) believed BSE is important, attitude towards BSE was poor (49.2%). Despite high level of awareness, only 36.9% practiced BSE.
Conclusion: Although awareness of BSE was high, the practice was average. There is a need for educational intervention programs to be implemented among female undergraduates in higher institutions, not only to promote awareness but also to educate on the skills required to carry out BSE effectively.
Key Words: Breast Self-Examination, Breast Cancer, Female Undergraduates, Owerri.
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