“Effectiveness of Planned Teaching Programme on Knowledge of Early Detection of Breast Cancer Among School Teachers”

Abstract

Back ground of the study: Medical advances have shown that one-third of all cancers are preventable and further one third, if diagnosed sufficiently early, is potentially curable. This observation demands that cancer control should be of increasing priority in the healthcare programs of developing countries. One potentially important strategy in reducing breast cancer mortality is the use of screening to achieve earlier detection of cancer. The main methods of screening involve mammography, clinical breast examination (CBE), and breast self-examination (BSE). Despite the advent of modern screening methods, more than 90% of cases of cancers of the breast are detected by women themselves, stressing the importance of breast self examination. 11 Planned teaching program is one of the methods through which awareness can be created among women regarding early detection of breast cancer. Methodology: The aim of the study was to assess the knowledge of early detection of breast cancer among school teachers. An evaluative approach with pre-experimental (one group pre-test post-test) design was used for the study. The sample consisted of 60 school teachers selected by purposive sampling technique. Pre-test was conducted by administering a structured knowledge questionnaire. After the pre-test, the PTP was administered and on the eight day post test was conducted. The collected data was analyzed by using descriptive and inferential statistics (‘t’ test). Results: The mean post-test knowledge score (O2 =24.05) was higher than the mean pre-test knowledge score (O1=12.48). The computed‘t’ value (24.14) was higher than the table value (t (59) = 1.67) at 0.05 level of significance, suggesting that the PTP was effective in increasing the knowledge of female teachers on early detection of breast cancer. Interpretation: The result showed that the PTP was effective in increasing the level of knowledge of teachers on early detection of breast cancer. Conclusion: The findings of the study showed that the knowledge of teachers was average before the administration of the PTP. The post-test knowledge scores showed significant increase in the level of knowledge of teachers. Hence the PTP is an effective teaching method for providing information and improving the knowledge of teachers.