Effect of self-efficacy on breast self-examination behavior among female college students

ObjectiveTo explore the effect of self-efficacy on breast self-examination behavior among female college students. MethodsA questionnaire survey was conducted in 623 female college students in terms of their characteristics,breast self-examination behavior and self-efficacy. ResultsThe rate of breast self-examination was 30.2% (188/623) in the students and for the 188 students having breast self-examination,57.6% had the examination regularly.The total score of self-efficacy was 26.32?8.44 for the 623 students.The total score of self-efficacy in the students who undertook breast self-examination(27.92?4.46) was higher than that of the students did not undertake breast self-examination(18.12?3.26),with a statistically significant difference(P<0.05).The total score of self-efficacy in the students who undertook regularly breast self-examination(31.02?7.45) was higher than that of the studetns undertaking breast self-examination(25.14?5.13) irregularly,with a statistically significant difference(P<0.05). ConclusionThe rate of breast self-examination in female college students is low,and the college students who have a higher self-efficacy score are more likely to undertake breast self-examination regularly.