The effect of structured training program on awareness and behavior regarding breast self-examination among community health workers of South Delhi

Abstract

Background: Breast cancer is one of the malignant diseases where early diagnosis and treatment leads to a good prognosis. Breast self-examination (BSE) is the most cost-effective screening technique. Objective: The objective of the study is to assess the effect of training on awareness and behavior of BSE among the community health workers (CHWs). Methodology: A community-based interventional study was conducted among 148 Accredited Social Health Activist and Anganwadi Workers of the selected wards of South Delhi district in the year 2018. The study was done in three phases: baseline survey followed by intervention in the form of training session, which involved the use of nursing manikins for the demonstration of BSE technique and video demonstration, depicting proper performance of BSE. After a period of 2 weeks, the same questionnaire and training models were used on the same CHWs to assess the effect of the intervention on their awareness and behavior. Results: Although most of the CHWs were in the age group of 20–40 years and educated till higher secondary and above, only 40% had ever heard of self-breast examination and an even lesser number had ever performed self-breast examination before. The intervention helped in the increase of knowledge about the symptoms of breast cancer considerably. The confidence levels among CHWs and barriers seeking help in CHWs also improved and more people approached their doctors regarding changes seen in the breast, mainly lumps on self-examination. Conclusion: It was determined that the awareness and behavior change after training was positive. There is also effective improvement seen in confidence level and health-seeking behavior.

Keywords

• breast cancer
• breast self-examination
• community health workers