Attitudes and health beliefs associated with breast cancer screening behaviors among Turkish women.

PROBLEM: This research was undertaken to determine the attitudes and health beliefs of a sample of Turkish women about breast self-examination (BSE), clinical breast examination, and mammography. DESIGN: Data were collected by means of a researcher-designed questionnaire and the Champion Health Belief Model Scale. A total of 1,342 women participated in this study. RESULTS: It was found that 10.1% of the women practiced BSE once a month, 19.8% of the women had had a clinical breast examination, and 15.0% had had a mammogram. Age and marital status were significant variables that influenced whether the women used only one or multiple methods for early detection of breast cancer. Participants who had higher levels of confidence for BSE and lower perceptions of barriers to BSE were more likely to perform BSE. Participants who perceived higher levels of confidence to perform BSE were more likely to be using all three early detection methods. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Interventions and strategies that help women develop confidence in their abilities to perform early breast cancer detection methods are likely to encourage them to engage in regular screening for breast cancer.

The effects of peer education on university students' knowledge of breast self-examination and health beliefs.

This study was carried out to determine the effects of peer education on breast self-examination (BSE) knowledge and health beliefs. 180 female university students were trained in BSE by the nursing students. Students instructed in groups by their peers showed a much higher degree of BSE knowledge. It was also found that perceived confidence of the students educated both individually and in groups increased afterward. Study results further revealed that the methods used for peer instruction do not affect students' sub-dimensions of health beliefs differently after the education.

Comparison of three educational interventions on breast self-examination knowledge and health beliefs.

BACKGROUND: This study was designed to investigate the effectiveness of various training methods for breast self-examination (BSE) knowledge, practice, and health beliefs. METHODS: The quasi-experimental investigation was carried out in an area where two community health care centers are located, in the city of Trabzon, Turkey. Divided randomly into three groups, 1,342 women were instructed in BSE using individual or group training or by way of pamphlets. Data were gathered in four stages: during the pretraining and one month, six months and twelve months after training. RESULTS: All of the training methods used in the study produced a significant increase in the participants' BSE knowledge, but individually trained women scored higher than did the others. Regardless of the training method, BSE instruction improved the women's perceived confidence and benefits, while their perceived barriers declined. The variables influencing BSE practice were found to be BSE practice at the pretraining period, perceived confidence in and benefits from BSE six months after BSE instruction, and health motivation one year after training. No significant difference was found in women's BSE performance scores one year after training. CONCLUSION: This study in which three training methods were used enabled us to assess the effectiveness of instruction on BSE performance and competence. In addition, it provided us with valuable information on how training methods can influence health beliefs related to BSE.