FACTORS INFLUENCING BREAST CANCER SCREENING UPTAKE AMONG WOMEN OF REPRODUCTIVE AGE IN OWO LOCAL GOVERNMENT OF ONDO STATE.

ABSTRACT Breast cancer is a significant public health concern, and early detection is critical for improving survival outcomes. Screening methods such as breast self-examination (BSE), clinical breast examination (CBE), and mammography play a vital role in early diagnosis, yet uptake remains low in resource-limited settings. The main objective of this study was to assess factors influencing breast cancer screening uptake among women of reproductive age in Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State, Nigeria. This study employed a descriptive cross-sectional design, using a stratified random sampling technique to select 200 women of reproductive age as respondents. Data were collected with an interviewer-administered questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics with IBM SPSS version 26.0. Results were presented in tables and charts. The mean age of respondents was 24.49 ± 6.86 years. Although the majority (74.5%) had good general knowledge and awareness of breast cancer, only 47.5% knew about specific screening methods. Positive attitudes toward screening were observed in 53.5% of respondents, but 76.5% had never undergone any form of screening. There was no significant association between educational level and knowledge of breast cancer screening (χ² = 16.783, p = 0.487), while family/spousal support was significantly associated with willingness to undergo screening (χ² = 2.438, p = 0.000). These findings highlight gaps between awareness, knowledge, and actual screening practices, underscoring the need for targeted, culturally sensitive educational interventions and improved access to affordable screening services. Strengthening community and family support systems can further enhance uptake of breast cancer screening in similar settings.