THE INFLUENCE OF KNOWLEDGE, SELF-CONCEPT, AND HEALTH BELIEFS ON YOUNG MEN'S PRACTICE OF TESTICULAR SELF-EXAMINATION.
Contributors: Catholic University of America.
Published: 1989
Number of pages: 104
Subjects: Health Sciences, Nursing.; Health Sciences, Education.
Description: The most effective way to detect testicular cancer early is through monthly testicular self-examination (TSE) by all men over age 15, since this is the highest risk groups. However, it has been established that young men lack information about it.

Nurses are in a favorable position to change this since they are already working with large numbers of young men in a variety of settings. Self-concept and health beliefs were combined with knowledge to form the theoretical basis for this study; the purpose of which was to identify and describe the influence of knowledge, self-concept and health beliefs on young men's practice of TSE, and to explore the association among these variables.

A non-equivalent control group, pretest-posttest design was chosen. Following completion of pretests on knowledge, self-concept, health beliefs, and background/TSE practice, the treatment group (n = 60) received an instructional program on testicular cancer and TSE from the investigator. Posttests on knowledge, health beliefs and TSE practice were given to both groups three months later.

Each of the two groups consisted of white, married, college graduates about 30 years of age. About 85% of each group reported a TSE frequency of zero for the previous three months. The first hypothesis, that subjects who receive an instructional program on testicular cancer and TSE will demonstrate more frequency TSE practice than subjects who receive no program, was analyzed using analysis of covariance and was accepted. Most subjects reported doing TSE monthly. The second hypothesis, that there is a direct relationship between self-concept and TSE practice, was analyzed using correlations and was rejected. The third hypothesis, that there is a direct relationship between health beliefs and TSE practice, and the fourth hypothesis, that there is a direct relationship between knowledge and health beliefs, were also rejected. It was concluded that TSE practice is influenced by instruction, and that knowledge and health beliefs are only limited factors in that practice.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 50-04, Section: B, page: 1327.

Thesis (D.N.SC.)--THE CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF AMERICA, 1989.

School code: 0043.