Evaluation of a program to train nurses to screen for breast and cervical cancer among Native American women.
BACKGROUND
Routine screening for breast and cervical cancers lowers mortality from these diseases, but the benefit has not permeated to Native American women, for whom the five-year survival rate is the lowest of any population group in the United States. To help address this problem, an educational/training program was designed to enhance the skills of nurses and other health service providers and develop clinic support systems to better recruit, screen, and follow clients for breast and cervical cancer screening services.


METHODS
A total of 131 nurses participated in the training program at 33 different sites between 1995 and 2000. Prior to and following training, each participant was given a questionnaire to determine knowledge of breast and cervical cancer screening techniques and recommendations, cancer survival and risk factors, and situational scenarios.


RESULTS
The average score for the pretest was 54% correct. The posttest average was 89% correct. The percent correct increased 35% from pre- to posttest (p < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
The knowledge to implement a successful screening program can be acquired through the current curriculum.
Sellers
Thomas A
TA
Department of Health Sciences Research, Mayo Clinic Cancer Center, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, USA. sellers@mayo.edu
Trapp
Mary Alice
MA
Vierkant
Robert A
RA
Petersen
Wesley
W
Kottke
Thomas E
TE
Jensen
Ann
A
Kaur
Judith S
JS
D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007198:Indians, North American; D008403:Mass Screening; D015397:Program Evaluation; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*