KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE, AND PRACTICE OF BREAST SELF EXAMINATION AMONG UNDERGRADUATE REGULAR FEMALE STUDENTS IN WOLKITE UNIVERSITY, SNNPR, ETHIOPIA

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Breast cancer is preventable if detected early sufficiently. The earlier it is detected, the better the effectiveness of the treatment and the likelihood of survival. Breast cancer screening methods include breast self-examination, clinical breast examination and mammography, and these are usually done in combination. Breast self-examination is the recommended method in developing countries because it is easy, convenient, and self and requires no specific equipment. Its purpose is to make women familiar with both the appearance and feel of their breasts as early as possible, so that they will be able to easily detect changes in their breast. OBJECTIVE: To assess knowledge, attitude and practice towards breast self-examination among undergraduate regular female students in Wolkite University, 2021. METHODS: Institution based descriptive cross sectional study design was used to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice toward breast self-examination at Wolkite University among undergraduate regular female students from August 3-28, 2021. Data was collected using semi structured questionnaire through using both open ended and close-ended question. The data was coded and entered, analyzed using the SPSS version 20 and then finally summarized and presented in tables, charts and graphs. RESULTS: Three hundred sixty undergraduate regular female students of Wolkite University participated in the study with a 96.7% response rate. Out of the 360 participants, 77.5 % of them have heard of breast self-examination and the most knew risk of breast cancer is a family history of breast cancer. 80% of the respondents have a favorable attitude towards breast self examination. Regarding practice, only 41.4% of the participants had performed breast self examination. Among those participants who ever performed breast self-examination, only 11.4% of them do breast self-examination appropriately which means in the recommended time (monthly after menstruation) and regularly. CONCLUSION: The finding showed that the participants had poor knowledge, attitude and practice toward breast self-examination. Even among the students who claimed to know about breast self-examination, the majority of the students are unaware of the benefits, appropriate timing & techniques of doing breast self-examination. Universities and other stakeholders should plan to promote provision of information, education and communication targeting females, and the general community to increase awareness to ward breast self-examination.