Predictors of breast self-examination behavior among adult females in Najran city, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Aim: This study aimed to explore the predictors of breast self-examination (BSE) behavior among adult females in Najran city, Saudi Arabia. Methods: A descriptive correlational design was utilized to recruit 1,075 participants from the primary health centers in Najran city, Saudi Arabia, from the beginning of March to the end of October 2021. A self-reported questionnaire was used for data collection; it consisted of demographic data and health history, breast cancer knowledge test and protection motivation theory (PMT) scale. Data analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for Social Science software, version 23 (IBM, Armonk, NY, USA). Results: Only 38.2% of the study participants had ever-performed BSE. Participants' knowledge, education, previous family history of breast cancer, and personal history of benign breast tumors are significant socio-demographic predictors of BSE behavior (p