Attitudes Towards Breast Self-Examination: A Comparative Study Of Females In Universities Of Ghana And Bergen

ABSTRACT Breast cancer is a feared disease, which affects women almost exclusively. Statistics show that one in eight women will most likely develop this disease at some stage during their lives. Secondary prevention (early detection) is the mainstay. M onthly breast self-examination is one o f the necessary components o f a comprehensive approach to early detection o f breast cancer. However, m ost women do not practise it. This study set out to examine some o f the factors that determine students' intention to practise breast self-examination, using the theory o f planned behaviour and the multidimensional health locus o f control. Two hundred and forty female students from the Universities o f Bergen and Ghana were asked to indicate the extent to which attitudes, subjective norms and perceived behavioural control influenced their intention to practise breast self-examination. They were also asked a series o f questions to determine their health locus o f control. The relationships between the theory o f planned behaviour variables and multidimensional health locus o f control were assessed. The results revealed that attitudes, subjective norms and perceived behavioural control predicted intention to perform breast self-examination for University o f Bergen female students. For female students from University o f Ghana, only perceived behavioural control predicted intention to practise breast self-examination. In addition, females who depended less on powerful others as far as their health was concerned did not receive much approval from significant others regarding breast self-examination. More studies using the theory o f planned behaviour and multidimensional health locus o f control, and involving Ghanaian context are needed to determine predictors of breast self-examination to help in intervention situations