ASSESSING THE KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDE OF TERTIARY STUDENTS ON THE RISK FACTORS OF BREAST CANCER IN THE TAMALE METROPOLIS

Background: Early detection and treatment of breast cancer (BC) has been found to be associated with reduction in the morbidity and mortality rates of the disease. The purpose of this study was to compare the knowledge and attitude of nursing (NT) and teacher trainees (TT) within the Tamale metropolis on breast self-examination. Methodology: This was a cross sectional descriptive study using structured questionnaire. Results: The great majority of the respondents in both groups had heard of breast cancer with no statistical significant differences (P=0.910). The main source of information on breast cancer was the electronic media (60.5%; P=009) for the TTs, but lecture room (77.8%; P<0.001) for the NTs. Approximately, 69.4% NTs compared to 30.6% (P<0.002) TTs knew they were at risk of BC. The TNs commonly agreed that a lump in the breast could be a symptom of BC compared to the TTs (p= 0.004). Approximately, 72.5 %% of NTs can perform self-breast examination (SBE) compared to 27.5% for the TTs, (P<0.001). A total of 50 (68.5%) TTs compared to 23 (31.5%) NTs said BSE is performed one week after one's menses (P<0.001). More than half (n=46,73.0%) NTs compared to 17 (27.0%) TTs previously had clinical breast examination (P<0.001). Close to half of the respondents in each group will be comfortable exposing their breast for examination (P=0.737). Conclusion: The study found high awareness level of BC among the respondents; however the nursing trainees had better knowledge of the disease compared to the teacher trainees. Both groups have future intentions of having breast examination