Escala del modelo de creencias de salud para autoexploración de mama en estudiantes de la Universidad Católica de Cuenca sede Azogues, Ecuador 2024-2025.

Abstract

Background: Breast self-examination (BSE) is a tool for detecting breast abnormalities and aligns with the university's research lines and sublines. Objective: To identify beliefs about breast self-examination according to the “Health Belief Model Scale for Breast Self-Examination” in students from the Catholic University of Cuenca – Campus Azogues. Methodology: An observational, quantitative, descriptive, prospective, and cross-sectional study was conducted. “Google Forms” was used, applying a stratified convenience sampling method among students (women older than 18 years old); statistics such as SPSS and descriptive statistics were used for the analysis. Results: The total number of participants in the study was 321 female students. Of those surveyed, 96.6% were single, 182 studied medicine and nursing, the academic terms presented a homogeneous distribution, 91% had no family history of cancer, 75.1% knew about self-examination, and 76.0% had not performed BSE in the last month, with a statistical correlation between the university level and BSE. The dimensions show a high level of efficacy, seriousness, barriers, and benefits, a moderate perceived susceptibility, and low health motivation. Conclusions and relevance: Breast self-examination represents one of the procedures that allows for the identification of warning signs in the breast. In the results found at the University, women mostly know about it; however, they do not practice it, making it necessary to implement programs that encourage its practice. Keywords: breast self-examination, breast cancer, beliefs, students