Evaluation of Breast Self-examination Intervention Program on Women’s Awareness Promotion and Skills Referred to Gonabad Community Health Centers, Iran

Abstract

Background: Breast Self-examination (BSE) is one of the effective ways of early diagnosis of breast cancer. This study surveyed the effect of a BSE training program and intervention on women referred to health centers in Gonabad, Iran. Methods: In this field trial study, 140 married women aged 20-49 from Gonabad were chosen randomly and divided into two groups of control and experiment. The BSE skill was examined in both groups before, immediately after, and three months after the intervention. Data was analyzed by SPSS software and statistical tests like analysis of variance (ANOVA), student t-test, and multivariate ANOVA in significant level of α = 0.05. Findings: The mean age of the participants was 37.27 ± 6.69 years. Before the the intervention, nearly half of the women in both groups had not performed BSE or they were not familiar with its proper technique. After the intervention, the evaluation score of the BSE skill increased significantly in the experiment group (P < 0.050). The follow up controls after three months showed statistically significant effect of the intervention (P < 0.001), but changes in the control group were not significant. Conclusion: Training interventions based on the BSE technique was effective in promoting self-care and early diagnosis of breast cancer among women. Thus, it is essential to design a BSE training program and integrate it into the National Women's Health Program.

Keywords

• breast cancer
• breast self-examination
• education
• community health center