Effectiveness of Model based Training on Self-Breast Examination among Reproductive Age Group Women in the Community

Abstract

Introduction: Breast cancer (BC) is a global disease and is second leading cause of cancer death among
women. Timely diagnosis with quick initiation of treatment reduces breast cancer mortality. Therefore, skill
development on Self Breast Examination among the community women is essential.
Objectives: To disseminate information about screening method among reproductive age group women in
community and to provide the skills on breast self-examination.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study conducted in Urban Health Centre in New Delhi in which
104 women participants of age between 15 to 45 years were included in study. Data was collected with the
help of a predesigned, pre-validated and pretested questionnaire. Participants were educated on breast selfexamination
and technique by using dummy breast model. Pre-Test and Post Test evaluation was done to
assess skills on SBE.
Result: Two third of participants had never performed SBE. There was improvement in skill acquired by
participants which revealed a mean Pre-test score of 1.91±2.25 which improved to 6.10±0.33 in Post test
score and it was found to be statistically significant with p<0.001.
Conclusion: This study results confirms that there is general lack of knowledge about Self Breast Examination
(SBE) among women in the community and also had poor skills on self-breast examination .Hence Self
Breast Examination Module and demonstration of SBE was effective in enabling women in the community
with knowledge and skills of Self-evaluation of Breast regardless of their level of education.