Knowledge and Practice of Breast Self-Examination Among Female Undergraduates in Ekiti State University

Breast cancer detection at an early stage significantly improves treatment outcomes, making breast self-examination an important health-promoting practice for young women. This study assessed knowledge and practice of breast self-examination among female undergraduate students at Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, South West Nigeria. A descriptive cross-sectional survey design was employed, with 280 female students selected through stratified random sampling from the faculties of sciences, arts, and social sciences. A structured self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data, which were analysed using frequency distributions and chi-square tests. Results indicated that 71 percent of respondents had heard of breast self-examination, but only 34 percent demonstrated adequate knowledge of the correct technique. Actual practice was even lower, with only 22 percent reporting monthly breast self-examination. Barriers to practice included embarrassment, lack of awareness of its importance, and the absence of health education on breast cancer in their academic programme. Respondents who had received formal health education on breast cancer were significantly more likely to practise breast self-examination. The study recommended integration of breast health education into university health services and student orientation programmes. Keywords: breast self-examination, knowledge, practice, female undergraduates, Ekiti State