Predictors of practice of breast self-examination: A study among female undergraduates of Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Nigeria

Background: Breast cancer is the most common female cancer in both developed and developing countries. This study was designed to determine the predictors of practice of breast self-examination among female undergraduate students of Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Nigeria. Methodology: This was...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Nigerian journal of clinical practice Vol. 22; no. 3; pp. 361 - 369
Main Authors:	Ossai, E, Azuogu, B, Ogaranya, I, Ogenyi, A, Enemor, D, Nwafor, M
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	India Wolters Kluwer India Pvt. Ltd 01-03-2019 Medknow Publications and Media Pvt. Ltd
Subjects:	Adult Awareness Breast cancer Breast Neoplasms - diagnosis Breast Neoplasms - prevention & control Breast Self-Examination Cancer research College students Cross-Sectional Studies Developing countries Diagnosis Early Detection of Cancer Female Health aspects Health Education Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice Health Personnel Humans Nigeria Odds Ratio Self examination (Medical) Students - psychology Surveys and Questionnaires Universities Women Women college students Young Adult Nigeria practice undergraduates Breast self-examination Nigeria Ebonyi state knowledge
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Summary:	Background: Breast cancer is the most common female cancer in both developed and developing countries. This study was designed to determine the predictors of practice of breast self-examination among female undergraduate students of Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Nigeria. Methodology: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study. A three-stage sampling design was used to select 365 female students of the university. Data were collected using a pretested self-administered questionnaire. Completion of one academic year qualified students for inclusion. Good knowledge of breast self-examination was determined by proportion of respondents who scored 50% and above of 15 variables used to assess knowledge. Results: The mean age of the students was 22.1 ± 2.5 years. Majority (76.4%) were aware of breast self-examination and health workers; 37.0% were the major source of information. A minor proportion (5.8%) have had their close relatives diagnosed with breast cancer. Majority (55.3%) had good knowledge of breast self-examination. Majority (63.6%) have ever-practiced breast self-examination; however, only 15.9% of the respondents examined their breasts on a monthly basis. Predictors of ever-practiced breast self-examination included having good knowledge of breast self-examination (adjusted odds ratios [AOR] =6.4, 95% CI: 3.9-10.4), having a close relative diagnosed with breast cancer (AOR = 4.0, 95% CI: 1.1-15.1), and mother of respondent being self-employed (AOR = 0.5, 95% CI: 0.5-1.5). Conclusions: Awareness of breast self-examination and practice were high among the respondents; however, only a minor proportion practiced breast self-examination every month. Having good knowledge of breast self-examination was associated with its practice. Having a close relative diagnosed with breast cancer encouraged the respondents to prevent the occurrence of breast cancer, thus enabling the practice of breast self-examination. Moreover, the practitioners of breast self-examination taught and encouraged others to examine their breasts. There is a need to increase knowledge of breast self-examination through public health education using the media.
Bibliography:	ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 content type line 23
ISSN:	1119-3077
DOI:	10.4103/njcp.njcp_482_18