title: Predictors affecting breast self-examination practice among undergraduate female students in Klang Valley, Malaysia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide, including Malaysia. In developing countries, predictors affecting breast self-examination (BSE) practice are different. This cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence of BSE practice and the predictors affecting BSE practice among undergraduate female students in Klang Valley, Malaysia.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study was conducted among 820 female undergraduate students to assess the BSE performance and related determinants of BSE practice in Klang Valley, Malaysia. Data were collected via a self-administered structured questionnaire that was developed for this study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean age of the respondents was 21.7 ± 1.2 years old. Most of them were single (96.8%), Malay (91.9%) and 19.6% of the participants performed BSE regularly. Multivariate logistic regression modeling revealed that BSE performance was more likely among women who have checked their breast with a doctor (odds ratio = 2.04, P = 0.00), and women who have personal history of breast disease (odds ratio = 4.43, P = 0.03).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings showed a low BSE practice rate among young Malaysian women. Hence, the community's breast health awareness is needed to improve breast cancer prevention among young Malaysian women.
authors.affiliation: Cancer Resource and Education Center, University Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Mehrnoosh
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Akhtari-Zavare
authors.affiliation: Cancer Resource and Education Center, University Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Malaysia.|Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine & Health Science, University Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Latiffah A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Lattif
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine & Health Science, University Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Muhamad Hanafiah
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Juni
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine & Health Science, University Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Salmiah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Md Said
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine & Health Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Irmi Zarina
authors.initials: IZ
authors.lastname: Ismail
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016504:Breast Self-Examination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008296:Malaysia; D013334:Students
keywords: Malaysia; breast self-examination; predictors