Impact of Health Education on the Knowledge, Practice and Attitudes of Female Undergraduates of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko towards Breast Cancer Preventive Practices
Arajulu Gbenga Abraham
Department of Health Education, Faculty of Education, Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba Akoko, Nigeria.
James Success Odubia
*
Department of Health Promotion and Education, Faculty of Public Health, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.
Collins Gboyega Aribamikan
Department of Human Kinetics and Health Education, Bamidele Olomilua University of Education, Science and Technology, Ikere Ekiti, Nigeria.
Ahmed Olamide Oseni
Department of Health Education, Faculty of Education, Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba Akoko, Nigeria.
Adeleke Pamilerin Amos
Department of Health Education, Faculty of Education, Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba Akoko, Nigeria.
Tosin Paulina Ohunyeye
Department of Health Education, Faculty of Education, Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba Akoko, Nigeria.
Tolani A. Fagbohun
Department of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aims: To evaluate the effect of a structured health education programme on the knowledge, attitudes, and preventive practices regarding breast cancer among female undergraduates of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko.
Study Design: Quasi-experimental one-group pre-test and post-test design.
Place and Duration of Study: Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Nigeria, between September and December 2020.
Methodology: 60 female undergraduates drawn from six faculties were selected using proportionate stratified sampling. Data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire incorporating Breast-CAM, Knowledge–Attitude–Practice (KAP) instruments, and the Breast Cancer Prevention Scale (BCPS). Descriptive statistics summarized variables. Bloom’s cut-off classified knowledge and attitudes, while mean scores assessed practices. Inferential analysis using SPSS version 25 included paired sample t-tests and McNemar tests to determine intervention effects at p = .05.
Results: Respondents’ mean age was 23.28 ± 4.05 years. Knowledge scores improved significantly following the intervention (mean difference = −2.45, SD = 3.08), t(59) = −6.155, p = .001, 95% CI [−3.25, −1.65]. Preventive practice scores also showed significant improvement (mean difference = −3.00, SD = 3.91), t (59) = −5.950, p = .001, 95% CI [−4.01, −1.99]. McNemar test indicated a significant change in preventive practices (p =.035). However, no statistically significant effect was observed on attitudes toward breast cancer prevention (χ² = 2.690, df = 2, p =.261).
Conclusion: Health education significantly enhanced breast cancer knowledge and preventive practices but did not produce significant attitudinal change. Institutionalized, theory-driven health education within university settings can strengthen preventive behaviors, though strategies targeting attitudinal transformation require further refinement.
Keywords: Breast cancer, health education, knowledge, preventive health behavior, attitude to health, students, female