Impact from the Instruction in Performance of Breast Self-examination to the Service Users at Family Planning Unit

Abstract

Impact from the Instruction in Performance of Breast Self-examination to the Service Users at Family Planning Unit

Paungchan        Khleuppanitchakul*

Assistant Professor Somboon Boonyakiat, BSc (Nursing), Med (Health Education)**

*Department of Nursing, BMA Medical College and Vajira Hospital

**Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kuakarun College of Nursing

Objective : To compare the performances of breast self-examination among the groups trained by observing demonstration and flip charts, by watching VDO and by conventional  method.

Study design : Quasi-experimental study.

Subjects : Ninety women, ages ranging from 20-40, came for birth control service by taking oral contraceptive pills, DMPA and norplant. They were the first service users and had never been trained for breast self - examination. The observation was made at Family Planning Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, BMA Medical College and Vajira Hospital for 4 months from June to September 2001.

Methods : Subjects in the specified criteria were selected in a subgroup of 2-3 persons. The instruction was conducted for one group per day on Monday, Wednesday and Friday till completion up to 30 persons per group. Assessment was made before the experiment by observing the behavior in performance of breast self-examination of the subjects and recording and recording the results in the Behavior Observation Form for 12 items in rating scale and numeral rating scale. The scales were divided into 3 levels i.e. (1) performed all correct, (2) performed mainly correct and (3) performed incorrect or only a few correct items. The scores were fixed as 3, 2 and 1 respectively. Manuals for the behavior observation in performance of breast self-examination were provided for score marking. The experiment was conducted by providing training to a subgroup of 2-3 persons. Group A was trained by observing the demonstration and flip charts on Mondays. Group B was trained by watching the VDO for breast self - examination and conclusion made and questions & answers on Wednesday. Whereas the control group, they were trained by conventional method by nurses on Fridays. Each session took 15 minutes per group. Assessment was made immediately after the experiment by observing the performance behavior in breast self examination of the subjects and recording the results in the Behavior observation form and marking scores by referring in the manual in the same manner as pre-experiment.

Main outcome measures : The average mean of the scores derives from the group being trained by demonstration in breast self examination together with flip charts and by watching the VDO together with conclusion made and by conventional method.

Results : The group having been trained by observing the demonstration together with flip charts and the group by watching the VDO could perform better then the group by conventional method (p < 0.01) and the group having been trained by observing the demonstration together with flip charts could perform better by the group having trained by watching the VDO (p < 0.01).

Conclusion : The group having been trained by observing the demonstration together with flip charts could perform better than the group having trained by watching the VDO and conventional method.

Key words : instruction performance, breast self examination, family planning

Vajira Med J 2002 ; 46 : 43 - 50