SENSE OF SELF AS A PREDICTOR OF BREAST SELF EXAMINATION AMONG UNDERGRADUATE GIRLS IN THE NORTH CENTRAL NIGERIA

Cancer is among the deadliest public health problem in the universe. The burden of cancers is a serious public health concern, especially in developing nations, including Nigeria. Evidence has shown that breast self-examination is a crucial strategy for early detection and avoidance of breast cancer. The current study aimed to investigate the variation in BSE practice among undergraduate girls in North-central Nigeria based on their sense of self. A cross-sectional survey design was adopted. The population comprised undergraduates in tertiary institutions in the North Central States of Nigeria. Two hundred and sixty-nine female undergraduates participated in the study. The participant completed a self-report measure including the Sense of Self Scale (SOSS) and a BSE practice questionnaire. The result revealed that most of the respondents (78.4%) had never practiced BSE, while only (21.6%) had practiced BSE. Also, it was found that the sense of self statistically significantly predicted BSE practice. The study concluded that a sense of self is a predictor of BSE practice and recommends that an understanding of self-enhancement strategy be adopted.