Comparison of Direct and Indirect Methods of Teaching Breast Self-Examination – Influence on Knowledge and Attitudes of Iranian Nursing and Midwifery Personnel

摘要

Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. Monthly breast self-examination (BSE) has beenpresented as one of the best screening methods available. The aim of this study was to compare effects of both direct and?indirect methods of teaching of BSE on knowledge and attitudes of nursing and midwifery personnel. Materials andMethods: The present study was performed on 89 nursing and midwifery personnel in Valiasr hospital of Borujen city.Participants were randomly divided into a direct and an indirect training group. Researcher-designed BSE knowledgeand attitude and demographic information questionnaires were used for data collection. Results: Before the educationintervention, the mean levels of knowledge and attitude were 9.82±2.79 and 56.5±6.21 in the direct training group and9.59±2.71 and 54.5±4.51 in the indirect training group; after the intervention, they reached 19.2±0.96 and 62.9±4.21, and?11.0±2.58 and 59.0±3.44, respectively. The difference in the mean levels of knowledge and attitude were significantly?higher in the direct training group post intervention (P<0.05). Conclusion: It appears that educational planners and?hospital personnel education officials should seek to teach aspects of crucial health behavior to female personnel using?cooperative and direct training methods.