Awareness, Practice and Factors Influencing Breast Cancer Mammography Screening Behaviour among Teachers in selected Public Secondary Schools in Ogun State, Nigeria

Background: Breast cancer remains a leading cause of cancer-related morbidity and mortality among women globally. Early detection through regular mammography screening significantly improves survival rates. However, in many low- and middle-income countries, including Nigeria, utilization of mammography services remains suboptimal. Aim: This study assessed the level of awareness, practice, and factors influencing mammography utilization among female teachers in selected public secondary schools in Sagamu, Ogun State. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted using a structured questionnaire administered to 126 female teachers using a multistage sampling technique. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests to determine associations between awareness and influencing factors. Results: Most respondents (92.1%) had heard of breast cancer, and 74.6% were aware of breast cancer screening. However, only 49.2% had heard of mammography specifically, and 34.1% had ever undergone a mammography screening. Among those screened, 55.8% had done so over a year ago, and only 14.0% had regular screening intervals. Also, this study found that factors influencing mammography utilization among female teachers were: poor awareness (p=0.014), screening only when changes are noticed in the breast (p=0.047), and concerns about the inaccuracy of mammography (p=0.005). Conclusion: Despite high general awareness of breast cancer, specific knowledge and regular practice of mammography remain low among female teachers. Targeted educational interventions addressing misconceptions and promoting the importance of regular, preventive screening are urgently needed to improve uptake and early detection. Recommendation: This study recommends, among other things, developing targeted health education interventions to enhance awareness and understanding of mammography among female teachers. Keywords: Mammography, Female teachers, Breast cancer, Cancer screening