title: Effects of peer education, social support and self esteem on breast self examination performance and knowledge level.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To estimate associations among peer education, social support and self-esteem and their influences on performance of breast self-examination (BSE).
  
  
  METHODS
  Seven volunteer peer educators were given the BSE training programme and in turn educated 65 women students in the university. BSE knowledge evaluation forms developed by Maurer were applied for evaluation. Other data were collected with questionnaires for the Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory and Scale of Perceived Social Support over three months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Knowledge level points of students and the BSE practice ratio were increased by peer support. There was a positive relationship between average BSE knowledge points and social support and self-esteem.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results showed positive relationships among BSE knowledge, social support and self-esteem, these affecting the BSE performance level.
authors.affiliation: School of Health, Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Canakkale, Turkey. arzutunamalak@gmail.com
authors.forename: Arzu Tuna
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Malak
authors.forename: Murat
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bektash
authors.forename: Ayshe San
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Turgay
authors.forename: Asli
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tuna
authors.forename: Rabia Ekti
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Genç
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016504:Breast Self-Examination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008327:Mammography / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010379:Peer Group; D012649:Self Concept; D012944:Social Support; D013334:Students; D055815:Young Adult