LEVEL OF KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICE OF BREAST SELF-EXAMINATION

ABSTRACT

Breast cancer is a leading cause of cancer morbidity and mortality among women globally, currently, breast cancer represents about 23% of all cancer cases and approximately 18% percent of deaths, making it the leading cause of cancer related death in Nigeria. Breast self-exam can be an important way to find breast cancer early, when it’s more likely to be treated successfully. This study examined the level of knowledge and practice of breast self-examination among female students. The Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Benin, Edo state, was used as the research setting. The objective of this research work aims at assessing the level of knowledge, the source of knowledge and the level of practice of breast self-examination. A descriptive cross sectional survey design method was used. The total population for the research was 615, of which 237 formed the sample size using Cochrain’s sample size formula. A well-structured questionnaire was used to obtain data relevant to the research objectives using a non-probability sampling technique. Parameters on socio-demographics, knowledge of BSE, knowledge of practice of BSE and pattern of practice of BSE formed the 4 sections of the questionnaire. The result shows that majority of the respondents have poor level of knowledge, a little less than half have fair level of knowledge while less than one third have good level of knowledge. Also, majority of the respondents were found to have poor level of practice, less than half had fair level of practice while less than one third had good level of practice. The study however also identified that that there is a significant difference between the knowledge and practice of breast self-examination. The study therefore recommends that Government and multinational agencies should make concerted efforts to ensure that awareness and practice of breast self-examination is widespread.