Effectiveness of an educational intervention on early detection of breast cancer in the district of Gampaha

Abstract

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS: To assess the effectiveness of an educational intervention on improving knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) on early detection of breast cancer among Public Health Midwives (PHMs) and target group women (TGW) in the district of Gampaha. METHODS: A community-based intervention was conducted in Gampaha district using two Medical Officer of Health areas selected by random sampling as intervention (IA) and control (CA). The study participants were all PHMs in IA (n=38) and CA (n=47J and 260 TGW from each area. PHMs who were exposed to the educational intervention first, conducted the same among the TGW. For PHMs, post-intervention survey was conducted at one and six months and for TGW at six months after intervention. RESULTS: The overall median scores for KAP respectively were as follows: PHMs: Pre-intervention: IA: 58%[IQR: 53- 69%), 90%(IQR: 70-100%) and 62%(IQR: 57-70%). CA: 64%(IQR: 56-69%), 90%{IQR: 70-90%) and 62%( IQR: 50-77%). Post-intervention; six months IA: 93% (IQR: 91-93%), 100%(IQR: 90-100%), and 81%(IQR: 77-89%). CA: 67%(IQR: 58- 71%), 90%(IQR: 90-100%), and 62%( IQR: 58-73%). TGW: Pre-intervention: IA: 54%(IQR: 46-59%), 50%(IQR: 41-59%), and 0%(IQR: 0-20%). CA: 54%(IQR: 44- 59%), 50%(IQR: 36-59%), and 0%( IQR: 0-20%). Post-intervention: six months IA: 77%(IQR: 72-82%), 68%(IQR: 59- 76 %) and 40%(IQR: 20-60%). CA: 54%(1QR: 46- 59%), 50%(IQR: 36-64%), and 0%( IQR: 0-20%). All the post-intervention scores of PHMs and TGW in the IA were significantly higher in comparison to CA (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This planned educational intervention had a significant impact on improving KAP of PHMs and TGW in the Gampaha district