Knowledge and practice of breast self-examination among female medical students in clinical and pre-clinical stages at al-Kindy college of medicine-Baghdad University

الملخص EN

Objective: Regular breast self-examination is the best way to notice breast changes.

Alterations from the normal appearance could be a sign of breast disease.

Proper education can help to improve awareness and practice of breast self-examination.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of education on the knowledge and practice of breast self-examination among female medical students.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional study, conducted positive family history of breast cancer were 53 students (17.7%).

Awareness of breast self-examination as a screening method for breast cancer was positive in 262 students (87.3%).

The main source of breast selfexamination information was lectures, seminars and workshops in 140 students (46.7%).

Students in the clinical group had more knowledge about the monthly frequency of practicing breast self-examination 116 students (77.33%) than the pre-clinical group 85 students (56.65%).

Moreover, students in the clinical group were practicing breast self-examination more than students in the pre-clinical group, 77 students (51.33%) and 33 students (22%), respectively.

Conclusions: Female medical students at the clinical stage showed a good knowledge and fair practicing of breast self-examination as compared to female medical students at pre-clinical stage.