The Effect of a Training Video With Audio Description on the Breast Self-Examinations of Women With Visual Impairments

Abstract

Introduction: Breast cancer is a significant health problem affecting the health of women globally. Breast self-examination is a procedure applied for the early detection of breast cancer. Given the barriers that women with visual impairments face to access health care and health education, there is a need to develop materials for breast self-examination training as a skills-based practice for this group. This study evaluated the effect of a training video with an audio description on the breast self-examination of women who were visually impaired. Methods: The universe of this quasi-experimental study comprised women who were visually impaired ( N = 70) who were registered members of the Manisa Altinokta Blind Association in Turkey. The women who participated in the study volunteered and met the selection criteria ( n = 60). They were divided into two groups by lot. The audio description group listened to a breast self-examination training video with an audio description ( n = 30). The control group listened to the training video accompanied by typical sound, without audio description ( n = 30). Before and after a training video, all women performed breast self-examination on a female mannequin torso. The skills of women in breast self-examination were evaluated using a checklist by a midwife who was non-researcher. Results: The skills differed significantly between the two groups after the video training ( p < 0.05). The audio description group correctly performed most of the skills required for breast self-examination. None of the women in the groups were able to apply steps for such self-examination before the training. Discussion: A breast self-examination training video with audio description can improve the self-examination skills of women with visual impairments. Implications for Practitioners: Women with visual impairments benefit from watching a breast self-examination training video with an audio description before performing self-examinations. Training videos with audio descriptions should, therefore, be prepared for the health education of individuals who are visually impaired.

Role of visually impaired in screening of diseases and the way forward

“…(iv) MTEs may be used to educate health workers in screening programmes. [15][16][17] Nonetheless, many medical facilities are hesitant to take on MTEs with impaired vision because of logistical concerns. Some healthcare facilities do not receive enough clients to justify MTEs.…”