An Interventional Study to Assess the Best Strategy and to Promote the Practice of Breast Self Examination among Nursing Staff in Bangalore

Aims: The aim of this study was to assess the effects of different methods of instruction on nurses' Breast Self Examination (BSE) practice and to assess the influence of constructs of health belief model on practice of BSE among nurses.

Study Design: Completely Randomized design.

Place and Duration of the Study: A descriptive cross sectional study was conducted among the female nurses working in a tertiary care hospital in Bangalore for 2 years.

Materials and methods: A completely randomized study was conducted with a sample of 90 nurses, 30 each from Control Group, Lecture group, Video Group were included in the study. The study included pre-test; post-test and three month follow up of control group and two experimental groups (lecture and video). The control group was not given any intervention, the lecture group received intervention through a tailor made lecture session and video group received the intervention with a video on knowledge and practice of BSE.

Results: Both lecture and video methods of BSE instruction significantly increased the nurses' mean BSE effectiveness scores (F=23.878 and p= 0.000), supporting the first hypothesis. The group of nurses with the lecture and video group displayed the almost similar improvement in BSE technique with mean score at follow up. The mean score was almost same with lecture and video group. Hence both the methods of interventions were effective in improving the practice of BSE.

The scores of health belief constructs among nurses who practiced BSE were significantly higher than the health belief scores of nurses who did not practice BSE, supporting second hypothesis. At follow up the Health Belief Model variables, perceived seriousness (p = 0.034) and perceived benefit (p = 0.037) were significant predictors of BSE practice and at pre-test perceived barriers (P=0.024) was significant predictor of BSE practice. This signifies that (Health Belief Model) theoretical framework is useful understanding beliefs attitudes and values for the preventive health behaviour.

Conclusion: Lecture and video can be used as best strategies to improve the effectiveness of BSE among the nurses. Nurse’s health belief constructs especially perceived seriousness and perceived benefits were significant predictors to influence nurses BSE.