title: Educational intervention on breast cancer early detection: effectiveness among target group women in the district of Gampaha, Sri Lanka.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The present study concerns the effectiveness of an educational intervention for improving knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of breast cancer early detection among target group women (TGW) in the district of Gampaha, Sri Lanka.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was a community-based intervention. Two medical officer of health areas in Gampaha district were selected using random sampling as intervention (IA) and control (CA). Public health midwives (PHMs) in the IA were exposed to the educational intervention first, conducted the same among the TGW through PHMs. KAP was assessed using an interviewer- administrated questionnaire among 260 TGW from each area selected using cluster sampling before and six months after the intervention.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The overall median scores for KAP among TGW in IG increased significantly from pre intervention level of 54% (IQR: 46-59%), 50% (IQR: 41-59%), and 0% (IQR: 0-20%) to post intervention level of 77% (IQR: 72-82%), 68% (IQR: 59- 76 %) and 40% (IQR: 20-60%) respectively. In CG, overall median scores for KAP remained almost the same at pre intervention 54% (IQR:44-59%), 50% (IQR:36-59%) and 0% (IQR: 0-20%) and post intervention 54% (IQR:46-59%), 50% (IQR:36-64%) and 0% (IQR: 0-20%) respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The educational intervention was found to be effective.
authors.affiliation: National Cancer Control Programme, Ministry of Health, Maharagama, Sri Lanka E-mail : cvithana1@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Pvs Chiranthika
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Vithana
authors.forename: May
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ariyaratne
authors.forename: Pl
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Jayawardana
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer; D018479:Early Intervention, Educational; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D008880:Midwifery; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011379:Prognosis; D011634:Public Health; D013188:Sri Lanka; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014930:Women