KNOWLEDGE, ATITTUDE AND PRACTICE OF BREAST SELF EXAMINATION AMONG FEMALE APPRENTICES IN EGBEDA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, NIGERIA

Abstract

Breast Cancer (BC) is one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide and the third most commonly diagnosed cancer among women. Early detection through screening has been shown to improve the prognosis and survival among female presenting with BC. Few studies exist on knowledge, attitude and practice of Breast Self-Examination (BSE) among female apprentices in Nigeria, probably due to their level of education. This study was therefore designed to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of BSE among female apprentices in Egbeda Local Government Area (ELGA), Oyo State.

Using a descriptive cross-sectional study design, a three-stage sampling technique was used to select 586 female apprentices from ELGA, who were interviewed using pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire. The questionnaire included a 32-point knowledge scale on BC and BSE, 11-point attitude and 13-point BSE practice scales. Knowledge score of ≤15, >15 to 28 and >28 were rated as poor, fair and good knowledge respectively. Attitude score of ≤5 and >5 were rated as negative and positive attitude. Practice score of ≤7 and >7 were rated as unhealthy and healthy practice respectively. Four Focus Group Discussion (FGD) sessions were conducted to complement the quantitative data. Data from the survey were analysed using descriptive and Chi-square test statistics with level of significance set at 0.05 while qualitative data were analysed using thematic approach.

Respondents’ mean age was 18.9±2.5 years, 81.1% were Yoruba and 62.8% had secondary school education. Eighty-eight percent were aware of BC while 54.5% had never heard of BSE. The most mentioned source of information about BC (47.7%) and BSE (33.0%) was television. The overall mean knowledge score was 10.3±4.2 and the proportion with poor, fair and good knowledge of BC and BSE were 83.1%, 16.6%, 0.3% respectively. Education was found to influence knowledge of BC and BSE as respondents with primary school education (94.1%) significantly had poor knowledge compared with those who had post-secondary education (64.4%). Respondents’ mean attitudinal score was 4.9±1.8; 22.4% had positive attitude towards BSE; 87.7% and 59.7% of those who were aware of BSE indicated that BSE was necessary and preferred BSE as a means of early BC detection respectively. Education was found to significantly influence the respondents’ attitude towards BSE as respondents with post-secondary school education (40.8%) significantly had positive attitude towards BSE compared with those who had primary school education (8.8%). Sixteen percent of the respondents had ever practised BSE. Respondents’ mean practice score was 4.9±2.2; 10.9% had good practice of BSE; only 5.5% of these practice BSE monthly. Respondents with post-secondary school education (33.3%) significantly had good practice of BSE compared to those with primary school education (5.9%). Focus group discussants unanimously recounted that BC can be prevented through regular examination of the breast and also gave lack of information as the major factor for not practicing BSE.

The respondents were aware of breast cancer, but breast self-examination knowledge, attitude and practices were poor. Breast cancer sensitizations, training and peer education are recommended to promote the practice of BSE for early detection and prevention of breast cancer among female apprentices in Egbeda Local Government.