title: Assessing knowledge of breast self exams in older African-American women.
abstract: Breast cancer mortality rates for older women increase dramatically with age. This descriptive study assessed the knowledge of breast self-exams (BSEs) via pre-tests and post-tests in older African-American women (> 60) at an initial session (Time 1), and then again at a follow-up session (Time 2) two months later. A sample of 57 older African-American women living in inner city apartment buildings participated in the study. There were significant differences between pre-test Time 1 and post-test Time 1 (p = .000) and pre-test Time 2 and post-test Time 2 (p = .000). In addition, a significant difference was detected between pre-test Time 1 and pre-test Time 2 (p = .039). Additionally, a content analysis revealed what factors would influence older African-American women to continue to perform BSEs in the future. Providing BSE education to older African-American women may be useful in decreasing mortality rates for breast cancer.
authors.affiliation: Cleveland State University, School of Nursing, Cleveland, OH 44115-2214, USA. a.jennings@csuohio.edu
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jennings-Sanders
mesh_terms: D001741:Black or African American / Q000193:education* / Q000208:ethnology; D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology*; D001296:Audiovisual Aids; D016504:Breast Self-Examination / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology*; D004521:Educational Measurement; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006266:Health Education / Q000458:organization & administration*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged / Q000523:psychology; D009042:Motivation; D020380:Needs Assessment; D024802:Nurse's Role / Q000523:psychology; D015402:Nursing Education Research; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012054:Reinforcement, Psychology; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014505:Urban Population; D014930:Women / Q000193:education* / Q000523:psychology