Factors Affecting Periodic Screening Behaviors for Breast Cancer among Hospital Nurses / 여성건강간호학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to analyze periodic screening behaviors for breast cancer and factors affecting the screening behaviors among hospital nurses. METHODS: A total of 461 nurses were recruited from 15 hospitals located in two southern areas of Korea. The Champion's Health Beliefs Model Scale-Korean version and a structured study questionnaire were used for data collection. Data were collected during July and August 2008. RESULTS: Nurses who performed periodic mammography accounted for 15.6% of the total, while 22.8% performed periodic breast self-examination (BSE). Among married nurses, the rates of periodic mammography and BSE were significantly different by age, menopausal status, delivery experience, family history of breast cancer, and experiences of cervical cancer screening. Significant factors affecting periodic mammography were family history of breast cancer, experiences of cervical cancer screening, age above 40, and performance of periodic BSE. For health beliefs, levels of severity, confidentiality and barrier were significant factors for periodic BSE. CONCLUSION: Nurses, who are role models for health promoting behaviors, did not adequately performing periodic BSE and mammography. A health promotion program for breast cancer designed for hospital nurses is needed to improve performance rates for periodic screening behaviors for breast cancer.

Effects of an Abdominal Obesity Management Program on Body Composition and Physiological Indicators in Women with Abdominal Obesity / 여성건강간호학회지

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of an abdominal obesity management program on a woman's body composition and physiological indicators. A sample of 20 women who were 33 to 62 years old with abdominal obesity (greater than 80cm of waist circumference) participated in the program for 12 weeks. The program consisted of aerobic dance and yoga for one hour, twice a week. Their body composition was measured with BMI, body fat %, waist circumference, and waist/hip ratio. The physiological indicators were measured by systolic blood pressure, blood glucose, total cholesterol, and triglycerides before and after the program. The results showed that waist circumference, waist/hip ratio, and fasting blood glucose decreased significantly after the program. However, BMI, systolic blood pressure, and blood lipids did not change. An abdominal obesity management program with aerobic dance and yoga is partially effective in decreasing abdominal obesity. Further studies are required to replicate the study with a control group using an experimental design.