KNOWLEDGE OF BREAST CANCER, PRACTICE OF BREAST SELF-EXAMINATION AND BREAST SELF-EXAMINATION ENHANCEMENT STRATEGIES AMONG FEMALE UNDERGRADUATES IN HIGHER INSTITUTIONS IN IMO STATE. A RESEARCH TOPIC ON HEALTH AND KINETICS

KNOWLEDGE OF BREAST CANCER, PRACTICE OF BREAST SELF-EXAMINATION AND BREAST SELF-EXAMINATION ENHANCEMENT STRATEGIES AMONG FEMALE UNDERGRADUATES IN HIGHER INSTITUTIONS IN IMO STATE.  A RESEARCH TOPIC ON HEALTH AND KINETICS. A RESEARCH TOPIC ON HEALTH AND KINETICS

Abstract

This study was undertaken to determine the knowledge of breast cancer, practice of breast self-examination (BSE) and formulate BSE enhancement strategies among female undergraduates in higher institutions in Imo State. To guide the study, eleven specific objectives with corresponding research questions were formulated, while eight null hypotheses were postulated. The study utilized descriptive survey design. The population of the study was consisted of 18,790 regular female undergraduates in higher institutions in Imo State and health experts in universities and colleges of education in Southeast, Nigeria. A sample of 1,089 female undergraduates representing 5.8 per cent of the female undergraduates’ population and 20 health experts in the field of Health and Physical Education and Public Health Education, participated in the study. A two-stage sampling procedure was employed to select the female undergraduates’ sample, while purposive sampling technique was employed to select the experts’ sample for the study. Data for the study were collected using three instruments. These were: a 34-item Knowledge of Breast Cancer and Practice of Beast Self-Examination Questionnaire (KBCPBSEQ), 9-item Knowledge of Breast Cancer and Practice of BSE Focus Group Discussion Guide (KBCPBSEFGDG) and a Part one and Part two item BSE Enhancement Strategies Questionnaire (BSEESQ). The KBCPBSEQ designed in a multiple choice and yes or no question format was used to generate quantitative data on female undergraduates’ bio data, knowledge of breast cancer and practice of BSE. The KBCPBSEFGDG was used to generate qualitative data on knowledge of breast cancer and practice of BSE, to complement the quantitative data. The BSEESQ was used to evaluate the researcher’s formulated BSE enhancement strategies for female undergraduates. Each of the three instruments used was validated by five experts. Split-half technique using Spearman Brown Formula and Cronbach’s alpha were used to establish the reliability of the KBCPBSEQ and BSEESQ respectively.

KNOWLEDGE OF BREAST CANCER, PRACTICE OF BREAST SELF-EXAMINATION AND BREAST SELF-EXAMINATION ENHANCEMENT STRATEGIES AMONG FEMALE UNDERGRADUATES IN HIGHER INSTITUTIONS IN IMO STATE.  A RESEARCH TOPIC ON HEALTH AND KINETICS. A RESEARCH TOPIC ON HEALTH AND KINETICS