The Effect of Breast Cancer and Breast Self-Examination Health Education on Awareness, Beliefs and Practices Given to Female Students At the Faculty of Health Sciences of a University in Mogadishu, Somalia

Background: Somali women face extremely high mortality and incidence rates for breast cancer (BC). One of the suggested techniques for screening for breast cancer early detection is breast self-examination, or BSE. Studies have revealed that Somalian women, however, lack sufficient understanding and practice about BC and BSE. In this study, female students at a university in Mogadishu, Somalia, had their knowledge, attitudes, health beliefs, and BSE practices evaluated with reference to the effects of health belief model-based health education addressing BC and BSE.

Methods: It was conducted as a randomized controlled study on 86 female university students in Mogadishu, Somalia, between September 2021 and June 2022. Randomization was used to assign participants to the intervention group (n = 43) and control group (n = 43). Data were gathered using two instruments: a self-administered questionnaire was the first tool used to gather information on individuals' sociodemographic and level of awareness about BC and BSE. The health belief model scale is the second instrument. A validated checklist and a modified structured questionnaire were used to gather data. Subsequently, the students in the experimental group took part in the three 90-minute training sessions that made up the program. The control group did not receive any intervention. Three months later, further student data were gathered. Data analysis was performed using IBM-SPSS software version 20, descriptive and inferential statistical tests (T-test, chi-square, repeated measures).