Effect of Health Education Regarding Awareness of Breast Cancer among School Going Adolescents in Rawalpindi City; A Qusai Experimental Study

Abstract

Background: Breast cancer is a major type of cancer in women across the globe. One in every nine women in Pakistan has a lifetime risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer. Clinical breast examination and breast self-examination (BSE) are considered effective methods for early detection of breast cancer. Early detection can accelerate the process of cancer treatment, and improve women’s overall quality of life. Objectives: The primary objective of study was to determine the awareness levels about breast cancer and breast self-examination before the intervention among school going students of Rawalpindi city. The secondary objectives were to find difference between awareness levels about breast cancer and BSE pre and post educational intervention and to predict determinants that affect the awareness levels among students. Methodology: A Qusai experimental study was conducted from March- August 2022 by using close ended, structured and validated tool to determine the awareness levels about breast cancer and BSE in school going children of Rawalpindi city. The tool was made of 4 scales measuring knowledge, attitudes and Champion’s health belief model along with practices. Independent sample t-test and One-way ANOVA were used for determining associations between socio demographics and dependent variables. Results: A significant difference was seen between the mean scores of study population pre and post intervention. The mean scores for attitude (14.07±1.96 to 27.23±2.136), knowledge (22.04±3.213 to 27.86±.739), champion’s health belief model (16.56±2.520 to 26.74±1.947) and practice (3.08±.526 to 6.99±.100) scores had increased post intervention. Variables significantly associated with attitude were family type (p value = 0.005) and educational level (p value= v 0.012). Age (p value=0.0001), permanent address (p value=0.035), family type (p value=0.001), socioeconomic status (p value=0.009) and family history of breast cancer (p value=0.0001) were significantly associated with knowledge. Family type (p value=0.029), educational level (p value= 0.048) and family history of breast cancer (p value=0.000) were significantly associated with practices. Conclusion: The results indicated that participants did not report adequate knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding breast cancer and breast self-examination before the intervention. The mean values of all the dependent variables of the study increased post health intervention. There is a need to improve the educational system and integrate information about breast cancer and its prevention in national health programs, to increase awareness in public about importance of BSE. Keywords: Knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP), Champions health belief model, breast cancer, breast self-examination, school going females, Rawalpindi