PREDICTORS OF BREAST SELF EXAMINATION AMONG FEMALE UNDERGRADUATES IN LAGOS STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Breast self-examination is a cheap and easy to practice method of detecting mad cells in the breast tissue, as early detection has been proven to increase the chance of survival. The study assessed the Breast Self-Examination (BSE) knowledge and practice among female undergraduates in Lagos State. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among two hundred and thirty female undergraduates in Lagos State. The respondents were drawn from Lagos State University and the University of Lagos using a simple random sampling technique. A self-developed breast self-examination questionnaire (BSEQ) was used to elicit information on knowledge and practice of BSE among the participants. Chi-square test of association was used to test the association between the variables. The result of this study revealed that there was a significant association (χ2 =18.14, P-value = 0.234< 0.05) between knowledge of BSE and practice of BSE, but there exist no statistically significant association (χ2 = 15.10, P-value = 0.009˃0.05) between the age of the respondents and the practice of BSE. Family economic status does not have a significant association (χ2 = 13.15, P-value = 0.02˃0.05) with the practice of BSE. Also, the number of years spent in the school by the respondent does not have any significant association (χ2 = 6.33, P-value = 0.007˃0.05) with their practice of BSE. Having a close relative diagnosed with breast cancer encouraged (χ2 = 11.05, P-value = 0.114< 0.05) the practice of breast self-examination. This study concluded that awareness of BSE and practice was high among the respondents; however, only a minor proportion practiced BSE properly and regularly. Therefore, there is a wide gap between knowledge and proper practice of breast self-examination, hence there is a need for health educators to rise up to their responsibility as the town crier through strategic advocacy using the media and other available means. Article visualizations: