Practice and Factors Influencing Breast Self-Examination Among Female Undergraduate Students of University of Jos

ABSTRACT Breast cancer is the second most common cancer worldwide and is the most common cause of cancer deaths among women both in developed and developing countries of the world. Breast self-examination is a step-by-step method that is used to detect any abnormality of breast in order to seek prompt medical attention. This study was carried out to assess the practice and factors influencing breast self-examination among female undergraduate students of University of Jos. An institutional-based cross-sectional study was carried out between February to August 2023. A purposive sampling technique was used to select 352 participants for this study. A self- administered pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire was used to elicit response from the respondents. Data’s were presented in tables with frequency and percentages, was analyzed using descriptive statistics. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 23.0.Results showed that majority 295(83.8%) respondents have practiced/done breast self-examination. Of the 295(83.8%) who have practiced BSE, 108(36.6%) discovered abnormality. 26(24.1%) of respondents did some laboratory, 58(53.7%) saw a doctor and 24(22.2%) did nothing on seeing abnormality during breast self-examination. Most 221(74.9%) of respondent can perform breast self-examination confidently. 26(7.4%) have family history of breast cancer, 31(8.8%) finds BSE embarrassing, 132(37.2%) fear finding mass during breast self-examination, 231(65.6%) forget time to carry out breast self-examination, 46(13.1%) lacks enough privacy for breast self-examination. In conclusion, the level of practice of breast self-examination of female undergraduate students was 83.8%. This study revealed good practice of breast self-examination of study participants. Factors affecting BSE were family history of breast cancer, fear of finding a mass, forgetting time to carryout breast self-examination. Study revealed a significant relationship between practice and knowledge (skills) of breast self-examination. It is therefore recommended that workshops on the skills of carrying out BSE be organized for students in higher institutions.