Knowledge and Practice of Breast Self Examination as Early Detection Method of Breast Cancer and Associated Factors Among Wolkite Univeresity Female Students, Southern Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed and common cause of cancer death globally. Currently it is highly prevalent among women in Ethiopia. Breast cancer is fatal due to late presentation, limited resources, and lack of awareness of breast cancer early detection methods. Objective: This study is aimed to assess knowledge and practice of breast self-examination as an early detection method of breast malignancy and associated factors among female students at Wolkite University, southern Ethiopia. Methods: An institution-based survey was conducted among 382 randomly selected female students in Wolkite University, Southern Ethiopia. The collected data were summarized and presented in a table and figure. Binary logistic regression (backward stepwise regression) model was fitted with Breast self-examination knowledge and practice and factor variables. Result: In this study the response rate was 100%. About 116(40.3%) female students had good Knowledge on Breast self-examination. While, 50(26.6%) had practiced breast self-examination. Respondents in the age range of 22-25 years (AOR=2.7; 95% CI; 1.21, 5.94), who grew up in rural areas (AOR=.47; 95% CI; .22, .99) and respondents who have got information from school (AOR=.22;95% CI;.10, .48) were predictors of breast self-examination knowledge, while respondents in the age range of 22-25 years (AOR=.02; 95% CI; .01, .22) and ≥ 26 years (AOR=.04; 95% CI; .002, .74), who are protestant in religion (AOR=5.9; 95% CI; 1.52, 23.28), who grew up in the urban area (AOR=3.26; 95% CI; 1.17, 9.05) and who have good knowledge on BSE (AOR=26.33% CI; 8.58, 80.80,) were predictors of breast self-examination practice. Conclusion: Breast self-examination knowledge and practice are vital to detect breast cancer early and take the necessary measure. age, years of study, source of information, and place of grew up are major predictors of BSE knowledge and age, religion, place of grew up and knowledge of breast self-examination were major BSE predictors.