Awareness and Practice of Breast Self-Examination Among Female Undergraduate Students at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife

Breast cancer is the most common malignancy among Nigerian women, and early detection through breast self-examination (BSE) remains a cost-effective approach in low-resource settings. This cross-sectional descriptive study assesses the level of awareness, knowledge, and practice of BSE among female undergraduate students at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State, South West Nigeria. A total of 320 female students were recruited using stratified random sampling, and data were collected via a pretested, self-administered questionnaire. Variables assessed included awareness of BSE, knowledge of technique, frequency of practice, and sources of breast health information. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests at a 5% significance level. Findings indicate that while 74% of respondents had heard of BSE, only 28% practiced it monthly. Correct technique demonstration was demonstrated by fewer than 20% of respondents. Social media and friends were the primary information sources, while formal health education was rare. Academic year and faculty of enrollment were not significant predictors of practice frequency. The study recommends integration of BSE training into university health education curricula, leveraging campus health services and student union platforms to normalize breast health awareness at OAU and comparable universities in South West Nigeria. Keywords: breast self-examination, awareness, female students, Obafemi Awolowo University, breast cancer