A Quasi-Experimental Study to Assess the Effect of Planned Teaching Programme on the Knowledge and Practice Regarding Breast Self-examination among Adolescent in Selected Rural Area

Abstract

Introduction: Breast self-examination involves the woman herself looking at and feeling the breast for lumps or other abnormalities. There is evidence that woman who correctly practice breast self-examination monthly is more likely to detect a lump in the early stage with early diagnosis and treatment yielding better survival. When adolescents become aware of themselves, they get in touch with their inner-self, their basic truths that satisfy their needs and their own personal desires. Teaching breast self-examination as breast changes occur in the adolescent girl can influence positive behaviors such as performing breast self-examinations and seeking regular professional breast examinations. Aim: The aim of study was to find out the effect of planned teaching on knowledge and practice regarding breast self-examination among adolescent in selected area. Subjects and Methods: One group pre-test and post-test research design was adopted, where the group was assessed. A semi-structured questionnaire was administered to assess the knowledge and practice regarding breast self-examination. Non-probability purposive sampling was used to select samples that fulfilled the required criteria. A sample size of 60 adolescents was taken for the study. Results: Findings revealed that in pre-test none of the adolescents was in the good or excellent range of knowledge and practice but in posttest there was significant shift of scores after administration of planned teaching. Therefore, heard about breast self-examination is dependent with pre-test knowledge and practice score while with other demographic variable such as age, education of mother, type of family, and source to receive information is independent. Conclusion: This study reveals that is important to have knowledge and practice of breast self-examination to detect breast abnormalities like Fibroadenoma and to have healthy life. Planned teaching was effective measure to improve knowledge and practices regarding breast self-examination among adolescent in selected rural area