Self‐efficacy and its influencing factors of breast cancer screening for female college students in China.

Aim: This investigation aimed to study the general self‐efficacy level and its influential factors of breast cancer screening for the female college students in Changchun city of China. Methods: A three‐part questionnaire was designed to investigate 220 female college students' general self‐efficacy for breast cancer screening and its associated factors and knowledge of breast cancer screening. The data were analyzed with spss 23.0 using descriptive statistics, independent sample t‐tests and multiple regression analysis. Results: The mean total score of general self‐efficacy for breast cancer screening was 22.2 ± 5.213 (average ± standard deviation [SD])). About 37.7% of participants had lower level of general self‐efficacy for breast cancer screening. The average score of knowledge about breast cancer and screening was 5.26 ± 3.974 (average ± SD). About half (48.6%) of the students had poor breast cancer screening knowledge. Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that the level of breast cancer knowledge (P = 0.011) and sleep satisfaction (P = 0.008) were two predictive factors of good general self‐efficacy for breast cancer screening in female college students. Conclusion: Female college students in Changchun did not have enough knowledge and self‐efficacy to cope with the breast cancer screening through this survey. Therefore, primary healthcare professionals have the responsibility to improve their awareness of breast cancer screening by delivering enough breast cancer knowledge and implementing effective health promotion strategies to keep better health status and have satisfied sleep. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]