EVALUATING THE EFFECT OF INTERVENTIONS ON BREAST SELF-EXAMINATION KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICE AMONG ADOLESCENT FEMALE SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN DELTA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Background: Adolescent females have reduced ability to self-detect breast abnormalities early. Improving their knowledge and practice of breast self-examination (BSE) will reverse this trend. Objective: This study evaluated the effect of two interventions on BSE knowledge and practice among in-school adolescent females in Delta State, Nigeria. Methods: A quasi-experimental research was conducted among ninety female secondary school students selected using a multistage sampling technique from three public secondary schools in the state. There were three groups: two experimental groups and a control. Experimental groups had BSE educational pamphlet alone (BPAM), and a combination of BSE pamphlet and BSE training (BPAME). The control group had a cervical cancer educational pamphlet. Participants were followed-up for eight weeks after the study implementation. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 23.0. Results: Mean age of respondents was 15.64 ± 1.33years. There was a significant difference in the respondents' level of BSE knowledge between baseline and 8 weeks follow-up (BPAM=5.20±2.28 to 21.56±1.85, t =29.44, 29 p