KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE OF ADOLESCENTS ON BREAST SELF EXAMINATION, A STUDY DONE AMONG FIRST YEAR CERTIFICATE FEMALE STUDENTS IN ST. MICHAEL LUBAGA HOSPITAL TRAINING SCHOOL

Abstract

Background.
Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer among women worldwide. Regular breast self-examination has been known to effectively detect breast cancer occurrence early.
The study aimed at determining the knowledge, attitude, and practice of adolescents on breast self-examination among first-year Certificate female students in St Michael Lubaga Hospital Training School, Kampala district, Uganda.

Methodology:
A cross-sectional study was done for 30 first-year Certificate female students in St Michael Lubaga Hospital Training School, Kampala, Uganda. Data was analyzed using Excel and presented in front of tables.

Results:
The results of the study showed that the majority 23(76.7%) of the respondents knew about breast cancer and breast self-examination, with the majority 15(75%) having got the information from health workers. However, the majority 25(83.3%) had a fairly good attitude towards BSE and the majority of them had a fairly good practice of BSE.

Conclusion:
Generally, knowledge of breast cancer and breast self-examination is good among adolescents. However, their attitude towards breast self-examination is relatively average and the practice is fairly good.

Recommendation:
This calls for the organization of education sessions to further create awareness of breast self-examination among the adolescents in St Michael Lubaga Hospital Training School.