Correlation Study of Knowledge and Behavior Regarding Breast Care among Female Undergraduate Students in China

Background: This study aimed to understand the relationship between knowledge level and behavior onbreast care in Chinese students, so as to provide strategies for improving the health education of breast care andsubsequently for aiding in breast cancer prevention. Materials and
Methods: A self-designed questionnaire wasused to evaluate breast care knowledge level and characterize related behavior. Correlation analysis was conductedfor the knowledge level and behavior. The study was carried out using 597 female undergraduate students inmedical and non-medical colleges in Wuhu, China.
Results: The average score of breast care knowledge was5.32±1.68 (5.62±1.68 and 5.00±1.68 for medical and non-medical students, respectively), with a greater score valuefor sophomores (5.59±1.72) than freshmen (5.18±1.65). The average score of breast care behavior was 2.21±1.13,again with a greater value in sophomores (2.37±1.15) than freshmen (2.21±1.13). A significant positive correlation(r=0.231, p<0.01) between knowledge scores and behavior scores was observed. In addition, various factors,including paying attention to breast care information, receiving breast self-examination guidance, TV programand Internet, were found to influence breast care knowledge.
Conclusions: In general, female undergraduatestudents lack of self-awareness of breast care with a low rate of breast self-examination. It is necessary to carryout health education to improve early detection of breast cancer.