The Impact of Education on Knowledge Attitude and Practice of Breast Self-Examination Among Adolescents Girls at the Fiwasaye Girls Grammar School Akure, Nigeria.

Breast cancer is the second most common cancer in women aged 15-45 after the non-melanoma of the skin. Lack of knowledge and practice of breast self-examination (BSE) have been blamed for the high morbidity and mortality associated with breast cancer among women and adolescents in particular. The study assessed the impact of education on knowledge, attitude and practice of breast self-examination among adolescent girls. A quasi-experimental study of only one group was conducted among school-going adolescents at Fiwasaye Girls Grammar School in Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria. Data were collected using a self-developed questionnaire adapted from previous studies. Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS) version 20 was used for data analysis, and data were presented using descriptive statistics. A total of 280 respondents took part in the study with the mean age of 13.21 ± 5.68. Over 60% knew about breast examination before education, and this percentage increased to 91.7% after training. The pre-assessment attitude towards and practice of breast self-examination were also poor but improved after training. There was a significant difference among the students pre- and post-knowledge at t (558) = 14.49, p = 0.01 and for pre- and post-practice of BSE at t (558) = 6.38, p = 0.01. The study affirms the importance of continuous education as an effective tool in increasing awareness, knowledge, attitude and practice of BSE.