Effects of Education on Knowledge and Attitude of Breast Self Examination Among 25+ Years Old Women

Abstract

Objective: To investigate effects of education on knowl-edge and attitude of breast self examination (BSE)among women.Method: Knowledge and performance of BSE amongwomen residents at Gülistan district of Isparta wereboth evaluated by a preliminary study. After that, aneducational program about BSE was carried out. Sixmonths later, final situation was evaluated by con-structing two groups: Study group (n=62) that consistedof women and the control group (n=63) assigned byrandomized sampling.Results: The ratio of knowledge about BSE in the studygroup increased from 30.3% to 77.4% while it was 50.8%in the control group. Similary the ratio of subjects whoregularly performed BSE in the study group was foundto be increased from 19.0% to 61.3% while the sameratio was found 39.7% in the control group. The differ-ences between two groups and in the same group be-fore and after training were statistically significant.Knowledge of BSE was correlated with education andemployment status among all respondents. Correctpractice of BSE was found to be correlated with em-ployment status among study group while it was foundto be correlated with education, employment, age andprosperity in the control group.Conclusion: The results from this study suggest thatan educational program can significantly improve BSEpractice in women.Key words: Breast-self examination, breast cancer, healtheducation