Knowledge, attitude, and practice of breast self-examination toward breast cancer among female students at King Saud University in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background: Breast cancer is the most common of all female cancers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This study aims to determine knowledge, attitude, and practice toward Breast Self-Examination (BSE) and also to explore the knowledge about breast cancer, among Saudi female students at King Saud University (KSU) in Riyadh. Methodology: A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out among 422 female students at KSU by using a self-administered questionnaire. Results: The study showed that the majority of participants (57.4%) had a moderate level of knowledge of breast cancer. The major source of information (39.8%) about BSE was mass media. Among the participants, 52.2% of the respondents had adequate overall knowledge toward BSE, 64.01% of participants had a positive attitude toward BSE, and only 18% of all respondents perform BSE. There was a significant difference between the overall knowledge and practice of BSE (p < 0.005). Conclusion: Most female students had a poor practice of BSE. Mass media is an important source of information about BSE to improve awareness among the community.