KNOWLEDGE OF BREAST CANCER AND PREFERENCE OF EARLY DETECTION SCREENING MEASURES AMONG FEMALE UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS OF EKITI STATE UNIVERSITY, ADO EKITI, NIGERIA

Abstract

Breast cancer (BC) is the leading cause of cancer deaths among women and observed to be rising among younger women. Early detection is the best defense against morbidity and mortality from BC. Low disease knowledge, wrong perception and poor utilization of screening services have been shown to increase its morbidity and mortality. This study was designed to assess knowledge and perception of BC and preference of early detection measures (EDM) among female undergraduate students of Ekiti State University, Nigeria. This is a descriptive and cross-sectional study. Using multi-stage random sampling technique, pre-tested semi-structured questionnaires were administered on 427 respondents to assess their socio-demographic characteristics, opinion about BC, knowledge of BC, perception of vulnerability, preference of early detection screening methods and what they would like to know about screening methods. Data collected was analyzed using SPSS version 20. One way ANOVA was used to assess relationship between dependent and independent variables. Results showed that the respondents’ mean age was 21.9±1.88 years. Majority was single (90.3%). The highest education attained by the bulk of respondents was SSCE (91.3%). Most were Yoruba (91.4%) and Christians (90.3%). Majority (94.5%) was aware of BC and (92.3%) stated that it is a serious disease. Most (76.0%) did not perceive themselves vulnerable to BC and (81.1%) utilized divine protection through prayer to avoid it. Knowledge of pre-disposing factors for BC was low. The mean knowledge score of the respondents was 11.3±5.1 out of 24-points BC knowledge score. Age-group, marital status, parents’ occupation and level of education were statistically significant with knowledge of BC. Majority (87.1%) agreed that early detection increases the chances of survival of BC. The most preferred early detection screening method was Breast Self- Examination (BSE) (32.6%), followed by Clinical Breast Examination (CBE) (12.6%). Only (30.6) and (23.3%) of the respondents have ever performed BSE and CBE respectively. Motivation for BSE utilization was fear of disease (31.3%) and school health registration, (66.3%) for CBE. Although awareness of BC was high among the students, knowledge, perception of self vulnerability and utilization of screening service were very poor. It is therefore recommended that educative programs on BC and early detection screening methods using preferred sources of information and training on how to perform BSE should be carried out among the study population.