Impact of Web-Based Educational Intervention on Preventive Behaviors of Breast Cancer among Damanhour University Female Students

Abstract

Background: Breast cancer, the most typical cancer in women, is a significant global health concern. Unhealthy habits that may influence students' health and way of life as adults usually accompany the university years. Following these health-promoting behaviors is one of the best strategies for university students to protect and regulate their health against breast cancer because they are closely linked to health promotion and illness prevention. Aims: to evaluate the impact of web-based educational intervention on preventive behaviors of breast cancer among Damanhour University female students. Design:A Randomized educational intervention trial (pre-post& follow up) design. Subjects: fourth grade female university students. Tools: four tools; tool (I) online breast cancer knowledge assessment structured questionnaire. Tool (II) online Healthy Promoting Life-Style Behaviors Profile Scale (HPLP). Tool (III) online behaviors questionnaire sheet toward Breast self-examination, and tool (IV): web-based educational intervention satisfaction scale. Results: There was a positive correlation between students' attitude toward BSE, level of knowledge, level of BC prevention practices and level of HPLP behaviors respectively as the students' attitude toward BSE improved, the level of BC knowledge, BSE practices and total score of HPLP scale improved and vice versa. Conclusion: In order to improve university female students' BC preventative & screening practices (BSE), the study found that the research hypothesis is validated and that the HBM-based preventive educational website was a useful and effective way to do so. Recommendations: Researchers should repeat this study with an observational checklist of breast self-examination (BSE) to address BSE practices skills objectively.