Knowledge of Breast Cancer among Secondary School Female Teachers in Rivers State

Abstract

This study assessed the knowledge level of breast cancer among secondary school female teachers in Rivers State. The study was guided by three objectives with equivalent research questions. Descriptive survey design was adopted, with a population comprising of seven thousand, nine hundred and thirty nine secondary school female teachers in Rivers State. A sample size of 720 respondents was selected from ten LGAs in the two areas (upland and riverine area) of Rivers State through a multistage sampling procedure. The instrument for data collection was a validated self- structured questionnaire titled Knowledge Level of Breast Cancer Questionnaire (KLBCQ) with reliability coefficients of 0.82. Data collected were analyzed using percentages, and chi-square. The result of the study indicated that; Secondary school female teachers in Rivers State have average knowledge level (60.6%) of breast cancer. 47.9% have poor knowledge of breast cancer risk factor, 65.7%, have average knowledge of breast cancer signs and symptoms and 74.4% have good knowledge of breast cancer preventive measures. It was concluded that secondary school female teachers in Rivers State have average knowledge level of breast cancer. It was recommended among others that Nollywood actors in collaboration with script writers and producers should constantly write and act dramas on breast cancer, in order to increase awareness and knowledge of breast cancer among the general population.