Breast self–examination practice and the associated factors among Bule Hora University students, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia. An institution based cross sectional study

Abstract

Regular breast self-examination in women is one of the practicable ways to screen, to detect earlier and to seek prompt medical attention of breast cancer in low-income countries. The study aimed to assess breast self-examination practice and associated factors among female students of Bule Hora University from February-June 2019. A cross-sectional study was conducted using pretested, self-administered and structured data collection tools from regular and undergraduate class female students. Data were entered using Epi info. Version 7.2; and analyzed by SPSS version 20. Only 30 (14.78%) of the students were found to practice breast self-examination regularly. Being urban resident [(AOR= 2.757: 95% CI (1.471, 5.167)], perceived susceptibility to breast cancer [AOR =2.910, 95% CI (1.537, 5.508)] and having family history of the practice [AOR= 2.047: 95% CI (1.040, 4.028)] had shown a significant association with the practice of breast self-examination. Discussion about breast cancer and practicing breast self-examination among the students is very low. The students who came from rural communities did not yet perceive the susceptibility and; therefore, health education pertaining to the subject is recommended. Non c