ASSESSMENT OF KNOWLEDGE ON BREAST SELF- EXAMINATION (BSE) AMONG WOMEN.

ABSTRACT Background: Feminine appearance is said to be enormously important to the self - image of every woman. Breast self-examination is the important self-screening for early detection of breast cancer. So it is essential for every woman to have a basic knowledge on importance and techniques of breast self-examination and to practice regularly. Objective: To assess the existing level of knowledge on breast self-examination and to identify the factors associated with the knowledge. Methodology: Research Design: A cross-sectional survey design. Setting: Outpatient department, Southern railway hospital, India. Sample: 60 women attending OPD at southern railway Hospital, India. Data collection: Pre tested self-administered questionnaire was used to assess the knowledge. Descriptive statistics and inferential statistics were used to describe the variables and to find factors associated with it. Research Variables: knowledge of women on Breast self – examination. Results: Majority 70% of women had inadequate knowledge on breast self- examination with the mean percentage of 45.75%, standard deviation +/- 3.2. Education, family history of breast cancer and marital status had significant association with the level of knowledge on breast self- examination. Conclusions: Almost 70% of women had insufficient knowledge on breast self-examination which in turn reflects that most of women do not engage in regular practice of BSE. Implications for Nursing: Health education for women from the late adolescent age should include the need, and techniques of breast self- examination with demonstration. KEY WORDS: knowledge, Breast self – examination (BSE), Health education, Southern railway hospital.