Najma Javed Awan, Sumera Abid.
Assessment of knowledge regarding breast self-examination among college students (girls) of district Islamabad, Pakistan.
Pak J Med Res Jan ;57(1):3-7.

Background: Among all female malignancies, breast cancer (BC) remains the commonest around the globe. Worldwide, more than one million new cases are diagnosed each year and more than 90,000 of them are from Pakistan. Current study was conducted to evaluate the knowledge regarding breast self-examination (BSE) among female students. Objectives: To determine knowledge of college girls regarding breast cancer and assess their knowledge, perception and practices regarding breast self-examination. Study design, settings and duration: Cross sectional study of 3 months duration was conducted among students of government girls colleges of Islamabad from October to December 2016. Subjects and Methods: Using simple random sampling, 05 girl?s colleges were selected from Islamabad. From each college 160 students were selected at random. Informed written consent was obtained. A self-administrated questionnaire was used to gather information on knowledge regarding risk factors of breast cancer, breast self-examination, procedure to perform BSE, sources of information on BSE and when did last time perform BSE. Data was entered and analyzed by using Epi Info version 7.2. Results: Total 763 female students were enrolled. Response rate was 95%. Mean age of students was 20.6 ± 2.8 years. All students were Muslims and unmarried. Eighty seven (11.4%) students had a family history of breast cancer. Five hundred fifty one (72%) students knew that family history is a risk factor for breast cancer. BSE is a procedure to pick up early cases of breast cancer was known to 345 (45%) students. Most common source of information was internet 331 (43%). Regarding the process to perform BSE, 313 (41%) answered correctly. About 567 (74%) students agreed that BSE is necessary to perform as an early BC detection method. Positive family history of breast cancer was significantly associated with higher odds of knowing BSE as a method for early detection of breast cancer (O.R: 2.6, CI: 1.7-4.2, p <0.05). However only 188 (25%) had ever done BSE. Positive family history of breast cancer was significantly associated with higher odds of having some kind of breast problem (OR: 2.7, CI: 1.2-6.11, p <0.05). Conclusion: Knowledge about accurate way to perform BSE among female students of Islamabad is insufficient. As prevalence of this cancer is at rise in the country, therefore there is an urgent need for health education programs to focus on this important issue and take steps so as to enhance knowledge regarding importance and accurate method to perform BSE.

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