Effectiveness of Knowledge Regarding Breast Self-Examination among Young Female Adults | Original Article

ABSTRACT:

ABSTRACT

Breast cancer accounts for 19-34% of all cancer cases among women in India. There is high mortality due to late stage diagnosis. The Pre experimental one group pretest and posttest research design research was used among 50 young female adult from a selected Rabindranath Tagore University Bhopal, MP. Structured questionnaire consist of 30 items on knowledge regarding Breast self-Examination among young female adults were used to assess preexisting knowledge. Self-Instructional module was provided to the participants. Posttest knowledge was assessed after 7 days of provided Self Instructional module. The study revealed that majority 66% of young female adult were in the age group of 21-25 years, 48% were Graduates, 58% attained menarche between the age of 13-15 years. 54% of them gained knowledge from family and friends. In the pre–test the overall level of knowledge 74% had an average score, 24% of them had poor knowledge whereas 2% had good knowledge. In the pre–test the total knowledge score was 46% with mean±SD 17.54±4.61. In post–test the average knowledge was 68% and good knowledge was 32%.  In post–test the total knowledge score was 68% with mean±SD 25.86.92±2.76. Findings indicated that there was a highly significant difference (t=15.97, P<0.05). The study revealed that Young female adults had inadequate knowledge regarding breast self-examination. Before STP this indicates the necessity of an effective teaching programme regarding breast self-examination. After STP the knowledge was increased.