No abstract

The leading cause of mortality among women has been identified as breast and cervical cancer in Nigeria. The objective of the study identified the symptoms and predisposing factors associated with breast and cervical cancer among the participants. A cross-sectional design and convenience sampling technique was used to recruit 460 women between the age of 18-60 years at a southwestern Nigerian university. Chi-square analysis revealed that bleeding per vagina after intercourse (X2 (4) = 28.0590, p < 0.00), vagina discharge (X2 (14) =20.3584, p < 0.00), painful intercourse X2  (4) = 10.8698, p < 0.03), genetic inheritance (X2  (4) =12.6040, p < 0.01) were significant among the symptoms and predisposing factors of cervical cancer. However, family history, cigarette smoking, consumption of fatty diets, environmental factors, and age were significant X2  (12) =38.9467, p < 0.00) for breast cancer.

The study examined the role of health locus of control and health behaviours on women's health.   400 female respondents were recruited employing convenient sampling between ages 18 - 60 years at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. The questionnaire consisted of socio-demographic variables, the adapted version of the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale, and the Health Behaviour Scale. The study assessed the associations between the dimensions of HLOC and health behaviour among women in the institution. Chi-square analysis revealed a significant relationship among the students, academic staff, and non-academic staff population on the internal locus of control scale (X2 (2) 7.4565, p < 0.02). There was also a significant relationship among the two subscales of external locus of control; powerful others      (X2 (2) 6.3818, p < 0.04) and chance (X2 (2) 17.6865, p < 0.00) respectively. Health Enhancing Behaviour was also found to be significant among the population (X2 (2) 9.4420, p < 0.01).  The study concluded that health locus of control and health behaviour had a significant role in women's predisposition towards their health issues.