Improving anticancer dietary knowledge and practices of nursing students by nutrition education

ABSTRACT

This study was carried out at Kasr El-Aini High Nursing Institute. It aimed at assessing basic anticancer dietary knowledge and practices of nurse students and the role of short-term nutrition education intervention in improving them. The study included 98 female nurse students. Their age ranged between 17.0 and 24.0 with an average +/- SD of 20.6 +/- 1.7 years. Their average weight, height and body mass index [BMI] were 61.9 +/- 10.6, 158.6 +/- 7.0 and 24.7 +/- 4.1. Educational curricula were the source of dietary information in> 80% of cases. Educational sessions led to significant increase in the knowledge scores of dietary guidelines, cancer primitive foods, cancer protective foods and overall knowledge. It improved the consumption pattern of anticancer foods. More than 90% of the students developed the desire to change their diet. Most of the student were satisfied and recommended inclusion of the subject in regular academic curricula