Impact of a health education intervention program about breast selfexamination on female employees at Damanhour University

Background: Breast cancer is a major health concern and remains the most common
malignancy in women worldwide comprising 16% of all female cancers. Aim of the study: To
identify the impact of a health education intervention program about breast self-examination
on female employees at Damanhour University. Subjects & Methods: Research design:
The study was carried out through a quasi-experimental design in three phases; pre
intervention phase, intervention phase, and post intervention phase. Setting: The study was
conducted at the Main Administrative University Building, Faculty of Art, Faculty of Education
and Faculty of Commerce. Those settings were affiliated to Damanhour University. Subjects:
Female employees from the previously mentioned settings were included in the study
according to inclusion criteria; the total sample was 120 female employees. Tools of data
collection: Two tools were used for data collection: 1) A structured interview questionnaire,
2) Observation check list. Results: more than two thirds of the studied sample aged 35 years
and more, 55% were married and about one tenth of them had previous history of breast
problems. Significant improvement was observed in knowledge and practices of female
employees regarding breast self-examination. Conclusion: The study concluded that the
education intervention program had a positive impact on females’ knowledge and practices
regarding to breast self-examination and breast cancer. Recommendations: The study
recommended that developing educational program for female students at secondary schools
and university about breast cancer and breast self-examination is important issue.