Practice of breast self-examination and knowledge of breast cancer among female university students in Korea.
This study examined the practice of breast self-examination and knowledge of breast cancer among female university students in Korea. This was a cross-sectional descriptive study. The participants were 2186 female university students in Korea. The Breast Cancer and Heredity Knowledge Scale was used. The collected data were analyzed through descriptive statistics, χ(2)-test, t-test, ANOVA, and logistic regression. Twenty-seven percent of students reported engaging in breast self-examination. The participants displayed a medium-level score (total score: 5.33 ± 2.70, range: 0-11) on knowledge about breast cancer. Predictors for breast self-examination were age (odds ratio = 1.15, P < 0.001), major (odds ratio = 1.80, P < 0.001), and knowledge of breast cancer (odds ratio = 1.16, P < 0.001). This study was the sole nationwide-scale research that examined the practice of breast self-examination, related factors, and knowledge of breast cancer among female university students, as a representative sample of young Korean women. The results are valuable in developing educational programs that can increase knowledge related to breast cancer, as well as the practice of breast self-examination, to support health promotion among young women.
College of Health Sciences, Ewha Womans University, Seodaemoon-Ku, Seoul, Korea.
Kyung Rim
KR
Shin
Hyo Jung
HJ
Park
Mijung
M
Kim
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D016504:Breast Self-Examination / Q000379:methods*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007723:Korea / Q000453:epidemiology; D020377:Self Efficacy; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014495:Universities; D016387:Women's Health; D055815:Young Adult