Practice of Breast Self-Examination among Female Students of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Awka

ABSTRACT: Background: Breast self examination (BSE) is a fairly reliable procedure for early detection of breast cancer especially in limited resource countries where access to and availability of mammography is inadequate. BSE helps women to be familiar with their breasts and increases awareness of breast cancer and breast cancer screening modalities like Clinical breast examination (CBE) and Mammography. This study aims at testing the knowledge base of our female tertiary students on breast cancer in addition to knowledge, attitude and practice of BSE. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study based on self-administered pre-tested questionnaire on the knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of Breast self examination (BSE) among females of a tertiary institution. Data were analyzed using the IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21. Results: A 284 female student with mean age of 20.8±3.3 years participated in the study. 98.6% have heard of breast cancer, with media and books being the commonest source of information. Only 60.0% of the participants had been taught BSE, with commonest source of teaching being teachers and parents. Above half of the participants (55.6%) practiced BSE with only 8.1% ever discovered abnormality. There was significant association between practice of BSE and being taught BSE or hearing about BSE (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The knowledge of breast self examination among the study participants acquired largely through books and media though very high but the level of practice is still very low. There is significant association between knowledge and teaching of BSE with the practice of BSE.