Breast self-examination in Greek midwives and midwifery students

Abstract

The aim of this study is to assess breast self-examination (BSE) practice in a representative sample of Greek midwives and midwifery students. Breast self-examination (BSE) is infrequent in healthcare professionals, including physicians and nurses. All midwives (n=245) and graduating midwifery students (n=165) who attended a congress of midwives were eligible to participate in the study, and a self-administered, anonymous questionnaire was developed to assess BSE practice. Midwives performed BSE more frequently than students (p<0.001). In addition, 27.0% of students performed BSE less frequently than every year whereas the midwives' rate is 14.0% (p<0.001). The proportion of subjects searching for specific signs of breast cancer during BSE and the BSE technique did not differ between midwives and students. In midwifery students, higher perceived knowledge of breast cancer-related issues was associated with more frequent BSE. Only a minority of Greek midwives and midwifery students practice BSE every month, and therefore implications for nursing management in BSE education should be included in midwifery school curricula to ensure increased BSE frequency, improved BSE accuracy and the promotion of BSE teaching to patients.

Exploring female medical students’ knowledge, attitudes, practices, and perceptions related to breast cancer screening: a scoping review

“…Specifically, 85 doctors (n = 1,005) were aware of BSE, reporting its usefulness for early detection of BC [ 29 ]. Comparing midwives with midwifery students, the rate of performing BSE was higher among midwives (52.5% practicing BSE monthly) compared to students (45.4%) [ 30 ]. There was no difference in the technique used when performing BSE.…”

“…In addition, radio and television combined (35.7%) were significant in raising awareness about BC [ 8 ]. Likewise, the majority (73.2%) of the study sample claimed to have learned about BSE at school [ 30 , 35 ], followed by printed materials (39.4%), medical personnel (30.7%) [ 33 , 36 ], TV/internet (34.6%), and acquaintances (3.9%) [ 7 ]. The sources of knowledge of nursing students from a Nigerian hospital also ranged from official coaching (45.1%), media (33.3%), and individual learning (21.6%) [ 12 ].…”

Breast Self-Examination Practice Among Female University Students in Ethiopia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…56 It is also lower than other studies conducted in LMICs, 17.4% in Yemen, 57 19.0% in Nigeria, 58 31% in Ghana, 59 and 45.4% in Greece. 60 These variations might be due to differences in the discipline of study participants, the countries’ health care policy, and the developmental level of the countries. For example, the Greece study was conducted among midwifery professionals who have an intense background on BSE techniques and its benefits in the early detection of breast cancer cases.…”

“…For example, the Greece study was conducted among midwifery professionals who have an intense background on BSE techniques and its benefits in the early detection of breast cancer cases. 60 …”

“…For example, the Greece study was conducted among midwifery professionals who have an intense background on BSE techniques and its benefits in the early detection of breast cancer cases. 60 In addition to regular BSE practice, the prevalence of irregular practicing of BSE among the students in the universities of Ethiopia was determined using the random-effects model. The prevalence of irregular BSE practice reported in the universities ranges from 15.5% 44 to 83.4%.…”