Enhancing Breast Self-Examination Awareness Among Non-Medical and Non-Paramedical Female Students: Evaluating Knowledge Levels, Providing Educational Interventions and Demonstration
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64252/g157x796Keywords:
Breast Self-Examination (BSE), Educational Intervention, Knowledge Assessment, Non-Medical Female Students, Health Education.Abstract
Breast Self-Examination (BSE) is a simple, cost-effective, and non-invasive method that women can perform regularly to detect unusual changes in their breasts. Despite being a potentially life-saving habit, BSE is often underutilized, particularly among young women who are not part of the medical or paramedical fields and may lack exposure to basic health education. Encouraging the practice of BSE can empower women with the ability to detect abnormalities early and seek medical attention promptly. The aim of the study is to assess the baseline knowledge levels of non-medical and non-paramedical female students regarding BSE, to evaluate the impact of the educational intervention on post-test knowledge levels, to identify associations between selected socio-demographic variables and baseline BSE knowledge. The study involved 150 non-medical and non-paramedical female students, mostly young adults aged 17–24, with a balanced mix of undergraduates and postgraduates, and an even split between rural and urban residences. Baseline results showed that nearly half of the students had only average knowledge of breast self-examination (BSE), with none reaching a ‘very good’ level before the intervention, despite varied information sources like healthcare providers, media, and schools. After a structured educational session with demonstrations, 74.7% of participants achieved ‘very good’ knowledge scores, and 25.3% scored in the ‘good’ category, indicating a significant improvement. The analysis showed no strong link between baseline knowledge and factors like age, BMI, residence, or information source, though education level and marital status showed trends toward significance. Overall, the results highlight that targeted education can greatly improve BSE awareness among young women, bridging gaps across different socio-demographic groups.
