Comparison of knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors regarding breast self-examination among health and non-health students

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in Indonesia, with 65,858 new cases, and 68-73% of patients detect the disease at an advanced stage. However, early detection through Breast Self-Examination (BSE) can be performed independently without tools, ideally 7-10 days after menstruation in women aged ≥20 years. Despite its importance, BSE activities in educational contexts are predominantly targeted at health students, leaving non-health students with limited exposure. This research aims to determine the differences in knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors regarding BSE among health and non-health students at Universitas Airlangga. A quantitative analytical method with a comparative observational design and a cross-sectional approach was employed. The study was conducted among health and non-health students from the Universitas Airlangga class of 2022 using purposive sampling. Data were analyzed using the Chi-square test. The research results reveal significant differences between the groups. The knowledge p-value was 0.003, the attitude p-value was 0.001, and the behavior p-value was 0.000, indicating higher levels of knowledge, positive attitudes, and practices among health students compared to non-health students. Addressing disparities in BSE awareness and practices between these groups is crucial for promoting early detection of breast cancer. Future research should explore strategies to increase BSE awareness and behavior in non-health students to ensure more comprehensive public health outreach.