title: Comparison of three educational interventions on breast self-examination knowledge and health beliefs.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study was designed to investigate the effectiveness of various training methods for breast self-examination (BSE) knowledge, practice, and health beliefs.
  
  
  METHODS
  The quasi-experimental investigation was carried out in an area where two community health care centers are located, in the city of Trabzon, Turkey. Divided randomly into three groups, 1,342 women were instructed in BSE using individual or group training or by way of pamphlets. Data were gathered in four stages: during the pretraining and one month, six months and twelve months after training.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All of the training methods used in the study produced a significant increase in the participants' BSE knowledge, but individually trained women scored higher than did the others. Regardless of the training method, BSE instruction improved the women's perceived confidence and benefits, while their perceived barriers declined. The variables influencing BSE practice were found to be BSE practice at the pretraining period, perceived confidence in and benefits from BSE six months after BSE instruction, and health motivation one year after training. No significant difference was found in women's BSE performance scores one year after training.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study in which three training methods were used enabled us to assess the effectiveness of instruction on BSE performance and competence. In addition, it provided us with valuable information on how training methods can influence health beliefs related to BSE.
authors.affiliation: Karadeniz Technical University Trabzon School of Health, Trabzon Saglik Yuksekokulu Emniyet Karsisi Trabzon, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ayla Akkas
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Gürsoy
authors.forename: Sevilay
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hindistan
authors.forename: Nesrin
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Nural
authors.forename: Ilknur
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kahriman
authors.forename: Fatma
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Yilmaz
authors.forename: Cagla
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Yigitbas
authors.forename: Hacer
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Erdöl
authors.forename: Hacer Kobya
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Bulut
authors.forename: Kiymet Yesilçiçek
authors.initials: KY
authors.lastname: Calik
authors.forename: Havva Karadeniz
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Mumcu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D016504:Breast Self-Examination / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology