Learning Objective #1: Describe the strategies used to increase breast self-examination for women in communities

Learning Objective #2: Compare the methodology and the results of the study in Thailand to those in other countries

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Objective: To increase breast cancer knowledge and breast self-examination (BSE) in women in the communities of Tungphayathai. Design: Participation action research Population, Sample, Setting, Years: The population were women age 20 years and over lived in communities of Tungphayathai in Bangkok, Thailand during March 15, 2003 to November 30, 2004. The sample of 110 women volunteered to participate in the study. Concept or Variables Studied together or Intervention and Outcome Variable: Health Belief Model guided the framework of the study. Interventions included an education on breast cancer and teaching BSE for female leaders and women in the communities and focus groups. Dependent variables were breast cancer knowledge and BSE. Methods: Female leaders were trained to help encouraging the women. Then, mobile clinics were arranged at the leaders' houses in the communities to provide breast cancer knowledge and BSE to all women. The sample completed all questionnaires before and after the interventions and were followed for one year. During the eighth month, focus groups were set up to explore the barriers of BSE and to establish new strategies. Any women with lumps were referred to a physician. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, and Chi-Square test. Findings: An average age of the sample was 42 years. There was no incidence of breast cancer during the study. The breast cancer knowledge and BSE significantly increased after the interventions. The number of women who performed BSE every month increased from 64% to 81% after new strategies were done Conclusions: The study findings suggested that teaching breast cancer and BSE helped the women in the communities to understand the importance of BSE and boosters were needed to increase BSE practice. Implication: Community nurses should teach women in about breast cancer and BSE for early detection of breast cancer.