RESUMEN
The National Health Morbidity Survey in 2006 showed Breast Self Examination (BSE) is still low in Malaysian women even though many awareness programs have been carried out. This study was conducted from May to December 2000 to observe the changes on the level of knowledge, practice and attitude amongst nurses at the Kuala Krai Hospital, Kelantan on the practice of BSE after a health education intervention program was conducted. The objective of the study is to increase the practice of BSE among nurses in that hospital. The study was performed by pre and post intervention without comparison. Respondents consist of 43 nurses selected by random sampling. The instrument used in this study was by questionnaires through direct interview with the respondent. The health education intervention program includes talks, BSE demonstration, counseling and exhibition, was conducted to educate the nurses on the proper time, frequency and correct technique of BSE. The results of the study showed a significant change in the level of knowledge (p < 0.001) before and after intervention. Meanwhile, analysis on practice showed no significant change towards correct BSE practice (p = 0.083). Analysis on attitude showed that all 43 or 100% respondents had changed from negative to positive towards perceived susceptibility, perceived barrier and perceived benefit. No relationship between the socio-demographic factors and the BSE practice (p = 0.63) was observed. Even though practice changes before and after intervention is still low and not significant, but the introduction of the health intervention program caused some changes among the nurses from Hospital Kuala Krai, even though there was no overall change.