A Study to Assess the Effectiveness of Structured Teaching Program on Knowledge and Attitude regarding breast self-examination Among women in selected rural areas of Kollam district

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting women worldwide and is a leading cause of mortality among females. The present study was aimed to assess the knowledge and attitude regarding breast self-examination among women in selected rural area of Kollam district. The sample consisted of 40 women. The nonprobability convenient sampling was adopted and the data were collected using structured questionnaire to assess the knowledge regarding breast self-examination among women and 5 Point Likert scale were used to assess the attitude regarding breast self-examination. In the present study 32.5% had poor knowledge, 67.5% had moderate knowledge and 5 % had highly favorable attitude,17.5% had favorable attitude and 45 % had moderately favorable attitude and 32.5 % unfavorable attitude regarding breast self-examination on pretest. And on posttest 95% had good knowledge, 5% moderate knowledge and 97.5% had highly favorable attitude, 2.5% had favorable attitude and 0% had moderately favorable attitude and 0% unfavorable attitude. There was no significant association between socio demographic variables and both the knowledge and attitude. There was a high positive (r=0.929, p=0.000) correlation between knowledge and attitude regarding breast self-examination among women which indicate as when knowledge increase attitude will also increase. The study concluded that the structured teaching program was effective in improving the knowledge and attitude of women regarding Breast Self-Examination. Hence, such educational interventions should be implemented widely in rural areas to promote early detection and prevention of breast cancer.