The effect of breast cancer health literacy skills training program on breast self-examination skills in women at risk in Matong subdistrict health promoting hospital Phrom Phiram district, Phitsanulok province

Abstract

This quasi-experimental research aimed to examine the effect of a health literacy training program on breast self-examination skills among women at risk. The sample consisted of 60 women at risk, divided into an experimental group and a control group, with 30 participants in each group. The control group received the usual advice, while the experimental group received the health literacy promotion program for a duration of 4 weeks. The research instruments included a breast cancer literacy training program for at-risk women. Data were collected using a health literacy questionnaire on breast cancer prevention and a self-breast examination skills assessment form. The reliability coefficients (Cronbach's alpha) were 0.73 and 0.72, respectively. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, paired t-test, and independent t-test.

The research results showed that after the experiment, the average health literacy scores on breast cancer prevention were significantly higher than before the experiment and higher than those of the control group (p < 0.05 for both comparisons). Additionally, the average self-breast examination skills scores were significantly higher than before the experiment and higher than those of the control group (p < 0.05 for both comparisons).

Suggestion: The breast cancer literacy training program for at-risk women can effectively improve health literacy on breast cancer prevention and self-breast examination skills in at-risk women. This program can be applied as a guideline to increase breast cancer screening rates among women in the area.