The Effect of Breast Self-Examination Training Program on the Knowledge , Attitude and Practice among Female Nursing Students at Faculty of Nursing , Alexandria University , Egypt

Breast cancer is a serious disease with potential high morbidity and mortality. It is the commonest malignancy in women. Approximately one million new cases of breast cancer are diagnosed each year worldwide. Breast cancer is the commonest cancer among women in Egypt. Late presentations of breast cancer cases have been consistent for three decades. The efficacy of breast self-examination in helping to reduce mortality from breast cancer has not been rigorously demonstrated. The study was designed to evaluate the effect of breast self-examination training program on the knowledge, attitude and practice of breast self-examination among female nursing students in Faculty of Nursing, Alexandria University, Egypt. The research hypothesis showed that, the knowledge, attitude and practice of female nursing students in Faculty of Nursing, Alexandria University, Egypt will be improved after implementation of the structured training program. Methods: A quasi experimental design was utilized in this study. A convenience sample of 115 adult female nursing students was chosen from first year students in the faculty of nursing. Data was collected through three tools: used for data collection 1) self-administrated questionnaire to assess bio-sociodemographic data 2) pre & post knowledge assessment sheet related to breast cancer and breast self-examination 3) observation checklist to assess the practice of the participants related to breast self-examination. Two constructive BSE training sessions were carried out, in the form of lectures, group discussions demonstration and re-demonstration. Each participant was given a self-administered questionnaire, which was designed to evaluate information such as bio-sociodemographic data, level of knowledge of breast cancer, the attitude of the participant toward BSE and its practice. A pre-test performance technique established. Followed by the developed manual discussion training about BSE knowledge and technique. Post-test was used to evaluate students' Knowledge, attitude and practice of BSE and done two months later. Results: The results revealed that the mean age was 20.41±4.94 years and the majority (93.9%) of them were single. In relation to the area of residence, 67.0% of them were from urban. Regarding the family history of breast cancer, the majority (90.4%) of them had not family history while (6.1%) of them had mother history. In relation to history of self-affection, 5.2% of them had a history of breast lump. (74.8%) of the participant did not perform BSE while most of respondent agreed that BSE was important (83.5%) because it helps early detection of breast cancer. Majority of respondents became aware due to the college curricula (17.9%). The attitude of respondents to breast selfexamination was good, most of the respondents, 98.5% thought breast self-examination was necessary. Respondents’ practice of breast self-examination was also good with 80.2% of the respondents claiming to carry out breast selfexamination regularly. The level of awareness of breast cancer and breast self-examination was high among nursing students of the Faculty of Nursing, Alexandria University. The post-test results showed progress in overall knowledge, attitude and practice of breast self-examination. In conclusion, applying the planned manual for BSE to female nursing students was effective in improving their Knowledge, attitude and practice of breast self-examination which in turn improve their quality of life. Illustrated manual should be available as a reference for female nursing students is recommended [Heba Abdel Mowla Ahmed, Eman Abdel Aziz Ahmed, and Nadia Yasein Aljaber. Knowledge, attitude and practice of breast selfexamination among Female Nursing Students in Faculty of Nursing, Alexandria University, Egypt].