EFFECTS OF TRAINING ON KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICE OF BREAST SELF EXAMINATION AMONG FEMALE TRADERS IN ALESINLOYE AND NEW GBAGI MARKETS, IBADAN.

Abstract

Breast Cancer (BC) is the commonest form of malignant disease and cause of death among women in Nigeria. Early detection of breast lumps through Breast Self-Examination (BSE) is feasible and affordable. Despite the benefits of BSE, awareness is poor, few female traders perform it and most of the existing studies on the practice have been descriptive in nature. The effects of a training intervention on the promotion of knowledge and practice of BSE among female traders have not been well explored. The study was, therefore, designed to investigate the effects of training on knowledge and practice of BSE among female traders in Alesinloye market, lbadan. A quasi-experimental study was conducted. Systematic random sampling method was used to select 120 women in Alesinloye market as Intervention Group (IG) while their counterparts also 120, from New Gbagi market who were similarly selected served as the Control Group (CG). Respondents' baseline information was obtained using a semi-structured, interviewer administered questionnaire which included a 10-point BSE knowledge and 26-point BC knowledge scales as well as questions relating to practice of BSE. The IG was exposed to training which focused on anatomy of the female breast, BC and BSE practice. The CG received no intervention. A BSE Palpation Checklist (PC) with 9-point performance scale was used to asses the performance skills of IG and CG at baseline and post-intervention. Post-intervention evaluation was conducted after 6 months. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics. Chi-square and t-test at p=0.05. The mean ages of IG and CG were 39.4±11.4 and 33.7±9.2 years respectively. Majority was married (IG 89.2%; CG 82.2%). Proportions of IG and CG with atleast secondary school education were 79.8% and 79.9%, respectively. The leading source of information about BC in both groups was the mass media (IG- 40.2%; CG- 33.0%). No significant difference was found in the respondents baseline knowledge scores (IG- 12.8±7.2; CG- 12.4±6.0). Knowledge scores at follow-up for the IG and CG were 21.6±3.4 and 12.3±6.0 respectively with a significant difference. At baseline the performance scores of IG and CG were 0.9±0.3 and 0.0±0.0 respectively. Follow-up performance scores was significantly different (IG- 6.8±1.5; CG- 0.0±0.0). A significant difference was found in the IGs' baseline (0.9±0.3) and follow-up performance (6.8+1.5) scores. In the IG, BSE skill increased significantly, from 0.8% at baseline to 71.7% at follow-up. The training contributed to improvement in intervention Groups' level of knowledge and performance skills relating to breast cancer and Breast Self-Examination. There is need to design a nationwide awareness program to improve women's knowledge about breast cancer and benefits of breast self-examination as an effective method for early detection of breast cancer.