Knowledge of Breast Self-Examination and Its Practice Among Female Students at University of Benin, Edo State

Breast self-examination remains a widely promoted primary prevention and early detection practice for breast cancer, and its knowledge and practice among young educated women who constitute a significant proportion of the at-risk population in Nigerian universities deserves systematic examination. At the University of Benin in Edo State, South South Nigeria, female undergraduate students represent an accessible population for assessing breast health knowledge and practice. This study evaluates knowledge of breast self-examination technique and its practice patterns among female undergraduate students at the University of Benin. A cross-sectional survey is conducted among 300 female students selected through stratified random sampling across five faculties. A structured questionnaire measures awareness of breast cancer risk, knowledge of correct BSE technique, frequency of practice, sources of BSE information, and barriers to consistent practice. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests are computed in SPSS. Literature from South South Nigerian university populations identifies awareness of BSE as higher than consistent practice, with embarrassment, inadequate technique knowledge, and lack of perceived personal risk as the primary practice barriers. The Health Belief Model provides the analytical framework for understanding the determinants of preventive health behaviour adoption. Findings are expected to reveal good awareness with low consistent practice rates and technique knowledge gaps. Recommendations address peer-led breast health education initiatives, clinical skills demonstration sessions at the university health centre, and integration of breast health education into female students' health orientation programmes. Keywords: breast self-examination, breast cancer awareness, female students, University of Benin, South South Nigeria.