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 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.