Effect of Health Belief Model-Based Educational Intervention About Breast Cancer on Nursing Students' Knowledge, Health Beliefs and Breast Self-Examination Practice

Abstract

Background: Breast cancer is a global health emergency and it is the principal reason of cancer related deaths in Developing Countries owing to the prevailing cultural beliefs and lack of awareness among women. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of health belief model-based education about breast cancer on nursing students' knowledge, health beliefs and breast self-examination practice.Subjects and Methods: A quasi-experimental design was utilized. Setting: The study was conducted at the Faculty of Nursing, Benha University, Benha city. A purposive sample of 104 nursing students were included in the study and divided into a study group (52) and control group (52). Three tools were used for data collection; first tool: self-administrated questionnaire to collect data about the subjects' socio-demographic characteristics, and knowledge regarding breast cancer. Second tool: the health belief model scale. Third tool: an observation checklist to assess the nursing students' practice of breast self-examination.Results: A statistically significant differences were observed between the study and control groups regarding knowledge about breast cancer after educational intervention based on health belief model (t test = 19.53, P=0.000). The mean scores of perceived susceptibility, severity, benefits, cues for action, self-efficacy and total heath belief model were significantly higher in the study group compared to control group (P = 0.000). Moreover a statistically significant difference was observed between both groups regarding breast self-examination practice after educational intervention (t test = 31.266, P= 0.000).Conclusion and recommendation: The health belief model based education is an effective and efficient manner in enhancing girls’ breast self-examination practice and improving their knowledge level and health beliefs about breast cancer. Thus the current study recommends implementing health belief model based educational intervention about breast cancer at different stages of life and settings to reach all targeted women to fight the disease.

The effect of planned training regarding breast self-examination on women’s health beliefs

“…In previous studies, there was a significant increase in women's perception of benefit after BSE training. [17,[24][25][26]28,29,[35][36][37]39] The findings of this study are consistent with those of previous studies. In the method of narration used in training, it is thought that informing the women about the benefits of BSE has a positive effect on the result.…”

“…However, the process of dramarelated narration may have brought women closer to the idea of breast cancer and increased their susceptibility scores. In previous studies, there was a significant increase in women's perception of seriousness after the BSE training; [17,24,26,29,[34][35][36] the findings of these studies support the result of this study. It is thought that women putting themselves in place of the patients during the drama method caused empathy and the story evaluations caused an increase in the perception of seriousness.…”

“…When previous studies were evaluated, a significant increase was seen in the perception of confidence after the BSE training. [17,24,26,28,29,[35][36][37]39] Previous studies support the result of this study. One-to-one training sessions with the demonstration method, CBE administration to women during the research process, informing women about how to seek help from institutions in case of risk and cooperation with health professionals are all thought to be influential on the increase in the perception of confidence.…”

“…In previous studies, there was a significant increase in women's perception of susceptibility to breast cancer after BSE training. [17,24,26,28,[34][35][36][37][38] In the current study, giving the training to at least 15 and at most 21 people with drama, narration and demonstration methods is likely to have affected our results. However, the process of dramarelated narration may have brought women closer to the idea of breast cancer and increased their susceptibility scores.…”

“…In previous studies, a significant decrease was seen in the women's perceived barrier subscale after the BSE training. [17,26,28,29,35,36,39] In a study conducted by Masoudiyekta et al [24] a significant increase was found in the women's perceived barrier subscale after the training. The findings of this study are consistent with the findings of previous studies.…”