Factors that Influence the Uptake of Breast Cancer Screening among Secondary School Student: Case of Kisii South Sub-County Kenya

Abstract

Breast cancer kills about 40,000 women annually across the globe. Worldwide there is rise in new case of breast cancer; most of these cases are reported in developing countries. In Africa breast cancer is characterized by presentation with the advanced disease, inadequate information about breast cancer’s incidence and inaccessibility of facilities significant for screening purposes. In Kenya, most cases of breast cancer are presented with stage 3 and 4 of the disease. It is important to examine the establishment of breast health education in the curriculum and school setting, the level of breast screening awareness, accessibility of screening facilities and the role socio-economic, demographic and cultural beliefs, students’ attitude and fear of the uptake breast cancer screening. The aim of this study was to analyze the factors that affect the uptake of breast self examination among students in secondary schools in Kisii south sub-county. Health belief model formed the basis for this study and data was collected using interviews administered through questionnaires. The study targeted secondary school students of ages 13-22 years randomly sampled from 147 students. The schools from the sub-county were systematically sampled and data obtained was analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Descriptive statistics include frequency chart and table while inferential statistics include Pearson’s chi-square (X2) and correlation analysis. The statistical package for social science, SPSS, was used for computer statistical analysis. 75.5% of the respondents had never undertaken any form of breast screening. The research found significant association between SECD, psychological factors, institutional factors and student levels of knowledge about breast cancer with breast cancer screening uptake. Students with a lower social economic status were found to be less likely to undertake screening services. The study findings will help the ministries of Health and Education to formulate policies that are directed at promotion of early breast health seeking behaviour among the students.