Beliefs and knowledge related to the practice of breast self-examination among university women in Colombia: A descriptive study

Objective: Epidemiological evidences have identified both Breast-Self Examination (BSE) and the awareness about risk factors as early detection strategies for breast cancer. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of BSE and identify self-care knowledge and beliefs about BSE in women from Bogota, Colombia. Methods: Cross-sectional study in 628 between 18 and 30 years old from Bogota, Colombia. BSE prevalence, self-care and beliefs were collected by structured survey. We estimated prevalence rates and association measures were calculated through logistic regression models. Results: The 11.3% of the participants practiced BSE monthly in the last 12 months. After adjustments for age and socioeconomic status, participants whose received previous advice about early detection OR 2.76 (CI95% 1.29-5.91), had previous knowledge about the disease OR 3.24 (CI95% 1.76-5.97) and that reported to know about mammography OR 2.04 (CI95% 1.13-3.68), were associated with the practice of BSE. Conclusion: The practice of BSE was low in the studied population and the levels of knowledge about risk factors were positively associated with the practice of BSE. These data could serve to offer educative intervention programs among young women from Colombia.