Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Breast Self-examination among Ambo University Undergraduate Regular Female Students; 2015

Abstract

Background: - Screening for early detection and diagnosis of diseases and health conditions is an important public health principle. Breast self –examination (BSE) is a process whereby woman examines their breasts regularly to detect any abnormal swelling or lump in order to seek prompt medical attention. Hence the aim of this study was to assess knowledge, attitude and practice of breast self-examination (BSE) among regular undergraduate female students of Ambo University.Method: - Institutional based cross-sectional study design was carried out from February to June 2015 among 320 study participants. Simple random sampling method was used to select the study participants.  Self administered pre-tested structured questionnaire were used to collect the data for the participants. Crude and adjusted odds ratios using logistic regression analysis were used to explore associations between different variables and breast self examination.Result: - Most of the respondents 206(67.5%) were heard information about breast self examination (BSE); of which 75(36.4%) get from campus though education, 65(31.5%) from mass media, 25(12.1%) from multiple source, 23(11.2%) from health worker and the rest 20(9.7%) get the information about BSE from their friends. Majority of the respondents have positive attitude towards BSE. Despite positive attitude towards BSE, its practice was low; 63(20.7%) of respondent were ever practiced, while 28(44.4%) were practiced monthly. The major reason of not practicing BSE was lack of knowledge how to perform BSE 67(27.6%) followed by do not had breast problem 49(20.2%).Conclusion:- BSE practice was low in this study. Having information on the importance of BSE was predictor of BSE practice. Therefore, it is important to give health information on BSE techniques, actual age at which BSE start, appropriate time when to perform and its role on breast cancer prevention for female students in higher educational institution.

Keywords: KAP of Breast self-examination, Ambo, Ethiopia.