THE ROLE OF HEALTH EDUCATION IN PROMOTION OF KNOWLEDGE OF BREAST SELF-EXAMINATION

Shaza Mohamed Alamin*

ABSTRACT

Breast cancer forms the highest percentage of cancer in Sudan (85%). The importance of the study of breast cancer lies in the fact that early detection can maximize the benefits of intervention. One of the most important and simplest methods of early detection is self-examination, which can be conducted by the woman herself at home. This is Quasi-Experimental study to assess the role of health education in raising the awareness of university students in regard to the early detection of breast cancer (2011- 2013). 200 female students from third and fourth class faculties of law and economics, Al Zaem Al Azhari University were selected randomly, randomization had selected law students as study group, while Economics students were left as control group. Data had been collected from both students using a questionnaire, specifically designed to serve this purpose. Information collected with the official personnel from both federal and state ministry of health was done beside the Non Governmental Orgnaizition (NGOs) that are active in the same field. Interventions were conducted to the study group to raise the awareness of the students through lectures, video shows, distribution of pamphlets and practical demonstration of self-examination of the breast using manikin. Post intervention data was collected from both groups and analyzed using SPSS computer program. Results revealed that knowledge of breast cancer among students of law and Economics respectively was ranging between (68%-86%(, knowledge of breast self examination (38 %-43%) and those who thought breast cancer is difficult to be detected early were (68%-63%). Students practicing selfexamination of the breast were (22%- 13%), those who were interested to join a training program in are (85%- 67%). After intervention, results changed with high significant rate among the study group. Knowledge about breast cancer extended to (100%). Knowledge about breast self examination (90) (P = 0.00%( , knowledge of how to conduct breast self-examination was (50%)(P = 0.025). Changing in attitude toward detected early were (77%)( P =.031).Those who were interested to join a training program in the future were (50%) (P = 0.003). This study concluded that: knowledge of breast cancer among the study group and control group was high. More than half of the students in both groups do not know how to perform the test, but after intervention this dropped among the study group to (10%) while a minimal change has been noticed in the control group. More than (50%) of the students in both groups showed a positive attitude towards participation in a training educational program of breast cancer. The study recommended that strengthening the health education program of breast cancer and breast self examination in universities and high school, and training of the students on how conduct the breast self examination, collaboration with the student social ties, utilize mass media to raise the awareness of women and the community as a whole with breast cancer and its early detection. With collaboration with civil organization.

Keywords: The role of health education in promotion of knowledge of breast self-examination. To assess the knowledge of respondents towards breast self- examination. To conducts and assesses the health education increasing the early detection to promote breast self