DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2014.v02i02.061

Pages: 766-772

Breast cancer is a public health problem that is increasing throughout the world especially in developing countries. In Ethiopia, breast cancer is typically a fatal disease with high mortality. The study was aimed to assess the Knowledge and Attitude of breast cancer among Mekelle University female regular undergraduate students. A descriptive cross-sectional study design was carried out among 792 female undergraduate regular students in Mekelle University from January to June 2013. Multi stage stratified sampling technique with Probabilities proportional to size was used. Study subjects again were selected through simple random sampling technique. Data were analyzed by SPSS window version 16.0 soft ware package and presented using frequencies, texts and percentages. A total of 792 study subjects were participated in the study with 96% response rate. Of the total respondents, 407(54.3%) were aged between 20-21 years. Majority, 645(84.5%) were orthodox Christian followers. About 555(80.8%) were single. Nearly half, 329 (43.7 %) of the respondents were first year students. Regarding the knowledge score, only 1.4%, 3.6% and 22.1% of the participants were classified as having Good knowledge on the risk factors, means of diagnosing, sign and symptoms of breast cancer, respectively. Majority, 424 (55.5%) of the participants believed that breast cancer is not curable disease and around 606 (79.7%) replied they will consult a doctor if they developed breast lumps. Overall, the respondents had limited knowledge of risk factors, sign and symptoms and means of diagnosis of breast cancer. Despite the appreciable willingness to seek healthcare for breast cancer, the study participants have poor attitude about its curability and poor risk perception about the disease. Therefore, there is a need for adequate Health Education and Promotion on breast cancer among adolescent female students in the University.