Knowledge, attitude, practice and factors that influence the awareness of college students with regards to breast cancer

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer has the highest incidence of all global cancers. Recent data show that breast cancer is becoming more prevalent in the younger population. Therefore, preventing breast cancer in young populations is a significant priority for public health. Relevant investigations of the incidence of breast cancer in young females have already been undertaken in China; however, none of these previous studies investigated the awareness of female college students with regards to breast cancer. AIM: To investigate the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of female college students in Yunnan with regards to breast cancer and a series of influential factors. METHODS: A random sample of 1387 female college students from two universities in Dali city were investigated by questionnaires. RESULTS: The total KAP scores for breast cancer were 9.86 ± 2.50, 3.19 ± 2.01 and 13.31 ± 2.49, respectively. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that educational grade was the most significant influential factor underlying the level of knowledge female college students had with regards to the treatment of breast cancer (P < 0.05). Registered residence and educational grade were the most significant factors that influenced attitude (P < 0.05). Age, registered residence, grade and major, were the most significant factors that influenced behavior (P < 0.05). The KAP of female college students in western Yunnan with regards to breast cancer were low. CONCLUSION: There is an urgent need to provide standardized publicity and educational strategies in China to improve the knowledge, attitude, and practice, of college students with regards to breast cancer.