Effectiveness of educational intervention on breast cancer knowledge and breast self-examination among female university students in Bangladesh: a pre-post quasi-experimental one group study

Background Breast cancer is a global health issue and a leading cause of death among women. Early detection through increased awareness and knowledge on breast cancer and breast cancer screening is thus crucial. The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of educational intervention program on breast cancer knowledge and practice of breast self-examination among young female students of a university in Bangladesh. Methods A quasi-experimental one group (pre-post) study design was conducted at Jahangirnagar University in Bangladesh. Educational information on breast cancer and breast self-examination (BSE), demonstration of BSE procedure and leaflets were distributed among 400 female students in common room setting in dormitories after obtaining written informed consent. The stepwise procedures of BSE performance were demonstrated with images. Pre-intervention and 15 days post-intervention assessments were conducted to assess the changes in knowledge on breast cancer and practices of BSE. Mc-Nemar’s tests and paired sampled t -tests were performed to investigate the differences between pre- and post-test stages. Results Significant changes were found in knowledge and awareness about breast cancer and BSE practices after the educational session. The significant differences were measures in the mean scores of pre-test vs. post-test: breast cancer symptoms (2.99±1.05 vs. 6.35±1.15; p <0.001), risk factors (3.35±1.19 vs. 7.56±1.04; p <0.001), treatment (1.79±0.90 vs. 4.63±0.84; p <0.001), prevention (3.82±1.32 vs. 7.14±1.03; p <0.001), screening of breast cancer (1.82±0.55 vs. 3.98±0.71; p <0.001) and process of breast self-examination (1.57±1.86 vs. 3.94±0.93; p <0.001). Likewise, a significate percentage of change in BSE practices was obtained between pre-test and post-test (21.3% vs. 33.8%; p <0.001) Conclusions This study findings confirm that the study population had poor awareness and knowledge at baseline that was improved significantly after educational session. A nationwide reach-out with community-based interventions is recommended for female population in both rural and urban areas.