Abstract
This study aims to evaluate the knowledge and awareness of female university students in Saudi Arabia about breast self-examination (BSE).
From January to March 2022, an online self-administered questionnaire covering socio-demographic data and BSE Knowledge was distributed to female students enrolled in Saudi universities. The survey link was disseminated online and through student leaders. Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to determine associations between the categorical variables and the BSE knowledge scores. Logistic regression was used to report the best predictor(s) for BSE knowledge.
Among 668 respondents, 65.5% were aged between 20 and 24 years, 47.8% were taking health-related courses, 69.2% were from urban localities, and 90.6% had no family history of breast cancer. Only 4.2% showed adequate knowledge about BSEs. Students studying in health sciences had a significantly better BSE knowledge score (p = 0.01). Moreover, 26.5% knew that a BSE has to be completed each month, and a similar percentage of students were aware that a BSE should not be completed during the menstrual cycle. Approximately half of the students knew that 20 years old is the recommended age to start BSEs. Seventy-two percent were aware that they must look for abnormal breast changes and the importance of feeling the axillary area when performing a BSE. Additionally, 55.2% were aware that most breast masses are detected by women themselves.
Saudi female students' knowledge about BSEs is inadequate. It is advisable that BSE knowledge and practice be incorporated into the curriculum of middle and high schools, as well as university students' programs.