International Archives of Medical and Health Research (IAMHR), pISSN: 2705-1420; eISSN: 2705-1439 
September to October 2019 Vol 1(3): pp.82-88    DOI: https://doi.org/10.33515/iamhr/2019.024/25

Copyright © 2019 C-International Archives

Original Article

Knowledge of breast cancer and practice of breast self-examination among female National Youth Service Corps members in a Northern Nigeria State

Sarafadeen A. Arisegi1*, Bukar A. Grema2, Sanjay Singh1, Idris O. Ahmed1,

Fatima A. Falaki1, Malami M. Bello3

1Department of Family Medicine, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto, Nigeria

2Department of Family Medicine, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, Nigeria

3Department of Community Medicine, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto, Nigeria 

 

*Corresponding Author’s Email: arisegiadeniyi@gmail.com

 

Published November 28, 2019


ABSTRACT

Background: Knowledge of breast cancer and uptake of its prevention practices (particularly, regular breast self-examination) are crucial to both the prevention of the disease, and the reduction of its high burden in the developing countries. Aim: This study aimed to assess the knowledge of breast cancer and practice of breast self-examination among female National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 225 female NYSC members (selected by systematic sampling technique) in Sokoto State, Nigeria. A semi-structured, self-administered questionnaire was used to obtain information on the research variables. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 20 statistical computer software package. Results: Majority, 202 (89.8%) of the 225 respondents were aware of breast cancer, less than a quarter (23.6%) had good knowledge of its risk factors, less than half (48.0%) had good knowledge of its symptoms and signs, while about two-thirds (61.7%) had good knowledge of its prevention. Whereas, about two-thirds of respondents (67.6%) were aware of breast self-examination (BSE), less than half (44.4%) had attended a training on BSE, and only about half of respondents (53.8%) had practiced it. Conclusion: Although, awareness of breast cancer was high among the respondents in this study, they had poor knowledge of the disease, and uptake of breast self-examination was relatively low among them. Management of tertiary institutions in Nigeria and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme should organize regular education programs on breast cancer and its prevention for their female students and NYSC members respectively.

 

Keywords: Breast cancer, breast self-examination, knowledge, practice, female NYSC members

 

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