The Effect of Education, Based on Health Belief Model on Breast Self- Examination in Health Liaisons of Zarandieh City

Abstract

: Background: All women at any age are at risk of breast cancer and the risk will increase by aging. Rapid diagnosis of breast cancer and prompt treatment will survive the lives of more than 90 percent of patients. There are definite documents that indicate breast self-examination is an effective method for prevention of death, but many women do not perform it regularly based on recommended screening programs. Materials and Methods: In this before-after study, 106 health liaisons of Zarandieh city were involved. All participants fulfilled a questionnaire about health beliefs and also a checklist about their tasks. Then the training program started using speech methods, group discussion, video presentation and practice program using an artificial model (mulaj). After 2 months of training, the second test was performed using the primary questionnaire. The data analysis was performed by SPSS software and P<0.0001 was significant. Results: The Mean±SD of participants was 37±2 and their awareness about known risk factors of breast cancer was 33 percent. The rate of breast self-examination before and after training program was 19 and 60.2 percent respectively. About the components of health belief model, the mean score of sensitivity, benefits and obstacles was low before training and the mean score of threat intensity was intermediate. However, the mean score of all components increased after training program (P<0.0001). Also, the mean score of checklist before and after training program was 2.89 and 7.09 respectively (P<0.0001). Conclusion: Our designed program for health education on the basis of health belief model was effective to create an accurate behavior in breast self examination. The results of this survey showed that performing breast self examination needs positive attitude. Thus, we recommend that educational programs should be designed in such a way that can change the attitude of participants so that improvements in women health occur.