The Consciousness and Perspective of Female Undergraduate Students at Imo State University on Breast Self-Examination
Keywords:
knowledge, attitude, female, undergraduate students, Imo state university, breast self-examinationAbstract
This study looked at Imo State University's female undergraduate students' attitudes and knowledge on breast self-examination.In order to fulfill the goals of this investigation, relevant literature was examined.The cross-sectional survey research approach was employed for this study, and respondents' responses were obtained via a questionnaire. Two hypotheses were put forth, and a straightforward percentage analysis was used to examine the data. 389 students in total, aged 20–30, made up of 301 (77.38%), 31–40, 88 (22.62%), and 113 (29.05%) as freshmen, 100 (25.71%) as second-year students, 81 (20.82%) as third-year students, and 95 (24.42%) as fourth-year students, took part in the study. The findings demonstrated that the students had a solid understanding of breast self-examination, as 196 (or 50.39%) of them were aware that it is an evaluation conducted by an individual to look for breast lumps, and 196 were aware that a woman should begin performing a breast self-examination as soon as she begins her menstrual cycle. The students' attitude toward breast self-examination was bad, though, as just 180 (46.27%) of them performed one because 50 (23.92%) thought it was unimportant, 45 (21.53%) were unsure of how to conduct it, and 39 (18.66%) were just afraid they might find a lump. Based on the results, the researcher made some recommendations that will help students become more knowledgeable about and have a more positive attitude toward breast self-examination. These recommendations include practical approaches like supporting student organizations that will increase peer education rates, offering media templates and ceremonies, or holding events like Breast Cancer Awareness Day and encouraging students to take part in such ceremonies in order to change their perception of BSE, which will gradually contribute to a decrease in the rates of breast cancer morbidity and mortality.
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