Original Research Article
Year: 2020 | Month: April-June | Volume: 5 | Issue: 2 | Pages: 295-312
Breast Health: Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Breast Self Examination among Female Undergraduate Students of Kashmir Valley
Syed Sabahat Ashraf1, Mir Misba Sultan2, Shayesta Rahi3, Ishrat Mustaq Mir4, Asifa Ali5, Naveena Nazim6, Bilal A. Bhat2
1Regional Research Institute Of Unani Medicine, Naseem Bagh Campus, University of Kashmir, Hazratbal. Srinagar, Kashmir, J&K
2Division of Social Science, FoFy, SKUAST-Kashmir, J&K
3Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Lalla Ded Hospital, GMC Srinagar, J&K
4Department of Biotechnology, Central University of Kashmir, J&K
5Department of Library and Information Science, University of Kashmir, J&K
6College of Temperate Sericulture-Mirgund, SKUAST-Kashmir, J&K
Corresponding Author: Bilal A. Bhat
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Breast self examination (BSE) is simple, non-invasive, requires little time and cost free practice and it can be performed by both young and old women. By performing BSE, female can recognize changes, such as thickening, lumps, spontaneous nipple discharge or skin change, and dimpling. The women who not perform BSE are at high risk for breast cancer. In Kashmir valley breast cancer is one of the most common cancer among women and breast cancer is the second most frequent occurring cancer among women worldwide.
Objective: The object of our study was to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of BSE among female undergraduate college going students of Kashmir valley.
Methods: A cross sectional institution based design was conducted at the different colleges of Kashmir valley during 2019-20. In our study a total of 400 female college going students with their consent were included using stratified random sampling procedure. A well designed validated questionnaire was used for the data collection. The data collected was analysed using SPSS (version 20) software and the results obtained were interpreted statistically.
Results: In current study, a total of 400 undergraduate female college going students in the age group of 22-24 years participated in our. The study revealed that the main source of information regarding BSE were Electronic Media (17.0%), Health profession (11.5%), Teachers (10.0%), Parents (10.5%) among urban respondents and Electronic Media (12.0%), Health profession (9.0%), Teachers (7.0%) and Parents (12.0%) among rural respondents. Majority of the students lack in BSE practice due to lack of awareness, techniques for performing BSE and lack of knowledge about the importance of BSE feel it is not important for everyone to perform BSE (urban=79.5%, urban=84.0%) although majority of urban (63.5%) as well as rural (52.0%) respondents agree that BSE can help in early detection of breast disease. The main socio-cultural factors responsible for the women suffering from breast cancer in Kashmir were Ignorance, Non-availability of Female Oncologists, Turmoil and Shyness.
Conclusion: The findings of our study revealed that the female college going students of Kashmir valley had poor KAP toward BSE. It was suggested that Colleges and other stake holders should plan to promote provision of information, education and communication targeting females, and the general community to increase awareness towards breast self examination. The regular BSE, estrogen rich foods and suitable drinks (e.g., dandelion root tea) can improve breast health.
Keywords: Kashmir, BSE, Knowledge, Attitude, Practice, Breast cancer, Statistics