A study on Knowledge, Attitude And Practice Of Breast Self-Examination Among Female Students In The Ahvaz University of Medical Sciences

Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women and breast self-examination Due to simplicity, economical and efficiency is vital factor in Escalating the treatment and survival of Women involved with breast cancer. The purpose of this study was to investigate the knowledge, attitude and practice on breast selfexamination among the female students of Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences.

Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive questionnaire study was conducted on 237 female students with at least 20 years old. The group sample was selected through stratified random method from Student dormitories’ of Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Science. Data were analyzed using SPSS software (version 19). Descriptive statistics added chi-square test were used for analysis of categorical variables obtaining the consent and assuring the respondents of confidentiality of responses the investigating was developed.

Results: The aimed groups of female students with average of 23/33±3/14 hadg ood(14/9%), moderate(42/2%) and poor awareness(13/9%) respectivrly. The maximum score with 93/3% as positive and the minimum of 6/8% as negative attitude for sample grouped students were recorded for this study. Scores upon correlation revealed a significant correlation between knowledge and attitude (P<0.001). For the practice score; 52/7% of students had carried out self-examination. There was also a statistically significant relationship between practice and knowledge (P<0/001), Married couples practiced significantly better self examination than single ones (P<0/01).

Conclusion: Results showed that despite their profession in the future, medical students had insufficient knowledge on breast selfexamination. The study highlights the necessitate for educational courses to create awareness on the subject of habitual breast cancer screening behavior and effective training sessions are required in collaboration with the Nursing-Midwifery and Medicine faculties.