Knowledge, Practice and Associated Factors of Breast Self Examination Among Female Students of the College of Public Health and Medical Science, Jimma University, Ethiopia

Back ground: Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in many parts of the world. Facilities for screening and early detection are extremely limited in resource limited countries like Ethiopia, yet early diagnosis improves survival. Breast self-examination can help to detect it at an early stage. Our study examined the knowledge, practice and associated factors of Breast Self examination (BSE). Methods and materials: cross sectional study design was conducted among 200 female Medical, Health officer, Nursing and Midwifery students in Jimma University College of public health and medical science. Samples were selected using a systematic sampling technique. Pre-tested, structured, and self administered survey questionnaire abstracted and adapted from relevant literatures used to collect the required information. Analysis was done using chi-square test to assess the association between the dependent and independent variables and logistic regression to determine the effect of exposure variables on the outcome variables, using SPSS version 16:0 software. Result: The majority (89%; 95% CI= 84.7-93.3%) of participant students had good knowledge about Breast self examination but, only 42 (21%) practice it correctly. After adjusting for potential socio-demographic confounders, multivariate logistic regression analysis showed: compared to rural residents, urban residents were more than 4 times (AOR=4.19; 95% CI=1.63, 10.77; P=0.003); clinical year students compared to their pre-clinical counterparts were more than 5 times (AOR=5.34; 95% CI=1.70, 16.75; P=0.004) more likely to have good knowledge about SBE. Similarly clinical year students were more than 7 times (AOR= 7.24, 95% CI=3.85, 13.59, P <0.001) more likely to practice SBE than pre-clinical students. Conclusion:: The majority of students had good knowledge about Breast Self Examination but only few practice it correctly, while more than 50% never practiced it at all. Awareness creation campaign on BSE among young female students should be done at Reproductive Health Service clinics of the university