Influence of Age and Level of Education on Knowledge of correct procedure in performing Self Breast Examination among Secondary School Teachers in Enugu State

Abstract

This study examined the influence of age and level of education on knowledge of correct procedure in performing Self Breast Examination (SBE) among female secondary school teacher in Enugu State. Descriptive survey research design was used for the study. The population comprised 1,500 female secondary school teachers in public secondary schools in Enugu Education zone, from which a sample of 1050 teachers was drawn using a multi-stage sampling procedure. The instrument used to collect data was researcher structured questionnaire titled knowledge of Self Breast Examination Questionnaire (KSBEQ). The reliability of the instrument was tested using Spearman Ranking Order and reliability coefficient of 0.96 was established. Three objectives with corresponding research questions and two hypotheses guided the study. Analysis was by the use of SPSS version 22. Frequencies and percentages were used to answer the research questions while Chi-square (χ2) tested at 0.5 level of significant and at appropriate degrees of freedom was used to test the null hypotheses. The finding of the study revealed that the female teachers in Enugu metropolis have a moderate knowledge of correct procedure in performing Self Breast Examination. The study reveals that respondents with higher level of education (B. sc) had the highest number of respondent with high level of knowledge on correct procedures in performing SBE(196 respondent, 54.1%) and age had significant influence on knowledge of correct procedure in performing SBE among female teachers in Enugu Education zone. Respondent with age 26-35years had the highest number of respondent with high level of knowledge on correct procedures in performing SBE (37.9%), followed by age 36-45year which had (36.8%). Hence it was recommended among others that public enlightenment campaign should be intensified among female secondary school teachers on basic knowledge of SBE.