BREAST CANCER-RELATED KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDE AS CORRELATES OF SCREENING INTENTIONS AMONG FEMALE IN-SCHOOL ADOLESCENTS AND YOUNG ADULTS IN IBADAN, OYO STATE

Female adolescents and young adults (FAYAs) are not often considered to be at risk of breast cancer. It is usually regarded as a disease for elderly women. FAYAs are now being diagnosed of breast cancer, yet there is a dearth of literature examining the breast cancerrelated knowledge, attitude and screening intentions of this population. This study was designed to assess the breast cancer related knowledge, attitude and screening intentions of FAYAs. This is a descriptive cross-sectional study in which three hundred and twenty-two (322) female adolescents and young adults were selected through random sampling technique from amongst female senior secondary school students in Ibadan. Data was collected fronl January 2015 to February 2015 using a self-designed and pilot tested instrumnent to assess participants’ breast cancer-related knowledge, attitude and screening intentions. Three research questions were raised in this study and data was analysed using descriptive statistics, correlation and regression analysis. Participants had an age range of 15-25 with a mean of 16.12. While 237 (73.6%) participants have heard Q/ breast cancer before, 85 (26.4%) did not. The most popular sources of breast cancer infonnation for 147 (45.7%) of the respondents was the television, followed by radio 114 (35.4%). The least source of cancer infonnation was the print media (11.5%). Only 15 (4.7%) of the respondents indicated having a family menlber with breast cancer. Generally, participants’ breast cancer-related knowledge was below average. None of the respondents could list a single breast cancer screening method. Multiple regression analysis showed that breast cancer related knowledge (13 =.22(), t = 4.133, p<().()l) and attitude to breast related problems (13 =.343, t = 6.428, were significant predictors of FAYAs breast cancer screening intentions. Correlation analysis indicated that significant linear relationships existed between FAYAs breast cancerrelated,knowledge, attitude to breast related problems and breast cancer screening intentions ). It is concluded that while the breast cancer awareness is high, the breast cancerrelated knowledge of FAYAs in this study is low and breast cancer related knowledge and attitude predicts breast cancer screening intentions. It is recommended that FAYAs should be educated about breast cancer early to enable them make informed decisions later about breast cancer screening to enhance early detection of breast cancer.