Effectiveness of the health-belief model-based intervention in improving the knowledge, practices and awareness among females with breast lumps

Breast cancer is the most common cancer and the second principal cause of cancer deaths in women worldwide as well as in Iraq. Breast self-examination has a role in raising breast cancer awareness among women and educational programs play an important role in breast cancer preventive behaviour. The aim of this study is to develop, implement and evaluate the effectiveness of Breast Health Awareness program based on health belief model on knowledge of breast cancer and breast-self-examination and BSE practice among female students in Iraq. A single-blind randomized controlled trial was carried out among 162 female undergraduate students for three months in Al-Turath University in Iraq. Participants were randomized to either the intervention group or the control group. The educational program was delivered to the intervention group. The outcome measures were assessed at baseline, pre, and post one month after implementing the health educational program. Chi-square, independent samples t-test and two-way repeated measures ANOVA (GLM) were conducted in the course of the data analyses. Mean scores of knowledge on breast cancer (p<0.003), knowledge on breast self-examination (p<0.001), benefits of BSE (p<0.00), barrier of BSE (0.01) and confidence of BSE practice (p<0.00) in the intervention group had significant differences in comparison with those of the control group 6 and 12 months after the intervention. Also, among those who never practiced BSE at baseline, frequency of BSE practice increased pre and post one month after the intervention (p<0.05). The Breast Health Awareness program based on health the belief model had a positive effect on knowledge of breast cancer and breast self-examination and practice of BSE among females in Al-Turath University.