Increasing breast cancer awareness and breast examination practices among women through health education and capacity building of primary healthcare providers: a pre-post intervention study in low socioeconomic area of Mumbai, India

• Published in: BMJ open 2021-04, Vol.11 (4), p.e045424-e045424
• Main Authors: Prusty, Ranjan Kumar, Begum, Shahina, Patil, Anushree, Naik, D D, Pimple, Sharmila, Mishra, Gauravi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Age; Breast cancer; Brochures; Clinics; Economic reform; Health education; Health facilities; health policy; Hospitals; Intervention; Knowledge; Low income groups; Medical research; Mortality; Primary care; Public Health; Risk factors; social medicine; Womens health
• ISSN: 2044-6055; 2044-6055
• DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-045424

ObjectivesThe present study aimed to improve breast cancer (BC) awareness and practices using Information, Education and Communication (IEC) modules and health educational sessions for women and primary healthcare providers in low socioeconomic community of Mumbai.DesignPre-post quasi-experimental design.SettingThe study was conducted in a lower socioeconomic area of G-South ward of Mumbai, Maharashtra. The baseline and endline survey was conducted using structured interview schedules.Participants410 women were selected, aged between 18 and 55 years who were not pregnant, lactating or diagnosed with BC.InterventionA health education-based intervention module was developed to educate women through group and individual sessions.OutcomesSummative indices were constructed to understand the net mean difference in knowledge of signs, symptoms and risk factors. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and paired t-test were used to check the significant improvement of intervention.ResultsOur results showed statistical significance in difference in mean knowledge scores for both signs and symptoms (mean difference (MD) 4.09, SD 4.05, p