Effects of education on knowledge and attitude of breast self examination among 25+ years old women

To investigate effects of education on knowledge and attitude of breast self examination (BSE) among women. Method: Knowledge and performance of BSE among women residents at Gülistan district of Isparta were both evaluated by a preliminary study. After that, an educational program about BSE was carried out. Six months later, final situation was evaluated by constructing two groups: Study group (n=62) that consisted of women and the control group (n=63) assigned by randomized sampling. Results: The ratio of knowledge about BSE in the study group increased from 30.3% to 77.4% while it was 50.8% in the control group. Similary the ratio of subjects who regularly performed BSE in the study group was found to be increased from 19.0% to 61.3% while the same ratio was found 39.7% in the control group. The differences between two groups and in the same group before and after training were statistically significant. Knowledge of BSE was correlated with education and employment status among all respondents. Correct practice of BSE was found to be correlated with employment status among study group while it was found to be correlated with education, employment, age and prosperity in the control group. Conclusion: The results from this study suggest that an educational program can significantly improve BSE practice in women.