Effectiveness of Video-assisted teaching on knowledge and skill regarding prevention of breast cancer among nuns

Abstract

Cancer is a group of more than 200 diseases characterized by uncontrolled and unregulated growth of cells. Breast cancer is probably the most feared among women, due to its high incidence, and above all, to the psychological effects that affect their perception of sexuality and their self image. An early diagnosis is the best guarantee of success in the treatment of breast cancer and the woman gives a relevant contribution in the early detection when she systematically does the self-examination. The objectives of this study were to assess the effectiveness of video-assisted teaching programme on knowledge and skill regarding prevention of breast cancer among the nuns and to find the association between the pre-test knowledge level and pre-test skill with selected demographic variables. A quantitative one group pre-test post-test design (quasi experimental) was adopted for the study. The conceptual framework of this study was based on the Health Belief Model (HBM) presented by Rosenstoch’s (1974) and Becker and Maiman’s (1975). Thirty nuns were selected by non probability purposive sampling technique. Video-assisted teaching was administered to the samples after the pre-testing of both knowledge and skill. Data was collected by using demographic proforma, structured knowledge questionnaire and observational checklist. The data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The data concerning the effectiveness of video-assisted teaching was established by analyzing the pre-test and post-test knowledge score and skill of the respondents. In order to find out the effectiveness of video-assisted teaching on prevention of breast cancer of experimental group, paired ‘t’ was computed. The computed ‘t’ value of knowledge score and skill (11.0 and 15.5) was greater than the table value (t29=2.05; p<0.05). This represented that video-assisted teaching was effective in improving the level of knowledge and skill of nuns on prevention of breast cancer. Chi-square test was used to test the significant association between pre-test knowledge scores and skill in performing BSE with selected demographic variables. The test revealed that there was no significant association between pre-test knowledge scores and selected demographic variables at 0.05 level of significance. On the other hand, it showed a significant association between the pre-test skill and the demographic variables namely, educational qualification and awareness of samples with relatives, friends or colleagues with breast cancer. The study concluded that the video-assisted teaching programme for nuns significantly improved their understanding and skill on prevention of breast cancer.