Effect of Peer Education on the Performance of Breast Self-Examination Among Secondary School Students in Rivers State

Abstract

This study investigated the effect of peer education on performance of breast self-examination among female senior secondary school students in Rivers-East Senatorial District of Rivers State. The study was guided by six research questions and six hypotheses were tested at 0.5 level of significance. The study adopted quasi-experimental research design. A sample of 912 students from 24 senior secondary schools were selected for the study. The instrument for data collection was a questionnaire. The instrument was validated by the researcher’s supervisor and three other validators. The reliability of the instrument was tested using Kuder Richardson 21 (KR-21) which yielded a coefficient of 0.70. Data was analysed using means and Analysis of Covariance statistics. The results of the study indicated that peer education has significant effect on performance of breast self-examination among secondary school students. Based on the findings, the researcher recommends that breast self-examination support groups in secondary schools should be put in place to help promote the awareness of breast cancer among themselves.