title: An educational strategy for improving knowledge about breast and cervical cancer prevention among Mexican middle school students.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Prevention programs have not achieved the expected results in preventing mortality from breast and cervical cancer in Mexico. Therefore, we propose a complementary strategy.
  
  
  METHODS
  An educational strategy for high school students in Mexico (2011-2013) was designed (longitudinal design, two measurements and a single intervention). The postintervention assessment included: 1) knowledge acquired by students about cancer prevention and 2) The performance of the student as a health promoter in their household. The strategy was based on analysis of cases and developed in three sessions. An assessment tool was designed and validated (Test-Retest). The levels of knowledge according to the qualifications expected by chance were determined. Wilcoxon test compared results before and after intervention.
  
  
  RESULTS
  An assessment instrument with 0.80 reliability was obtained. 831 high school students were analyzed. Wilcoxon rank-sum test showed a significant learning after the intervention (Z = - 2.64, p = 0.008) with improvement of levels of knowledge in a 154.5%. 49% of students had a good performance as health promoters.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The learning in preventive measures is important to sensitize individuals to prevention campaigns against cancer. This strategy proved to improve the level of knowledge of students in an easy and affordable way.
authors: Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Hospital de Especialidades No. 25, UMAE, Av. Gonzalitos y Lincoln, Col. Nueva Morelos, Monterrey, NL 64300, Mexico; Universidad Veracruzana, Instituto de Medicina Forense, Boca del Río, Ver, Mexico.
authors: Ana Laura
authors: AL
authors: Calderón-Garcidueñas
authors: Autonomous University of Nuevo Leon (UANL). Nursing Graduate School. Av. Gonzalitos 1500 Nte, Col. Mitras Centro, 64460, Monterrey, Mexico.
authors: Yolanda
authors: Y
authors: Flores-Peña
authors: Ministry of Education of the State of Nuevo León, Monterrey, Mexico.
authors: Silvia
authors: S
authors: De León-Leal
authors: Universidad Veracruzana, Instituto de Medicina Forense, Boca del Río, Ver, Mexico.
authors: Carlos Alberto
authors: CA
authors: Vázquez-Martínez
authors: Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey, Graduate School of Public Administration and Public Policy, Eugenio Garza Lagüera y Rufino Tamayo, Col. Valle Oriente, San Pedro, NL 66269, Mexico.
authors: Ana Gabriela
authors: AG
authors: Farías-Calderón
authors: Universidad Veracruzana, Instituto de Medicina Forense, Boca del Río, Ver, Mexico.
authors: Guadalupe
authors: G
authors: Melo-Santiesteban
authors: Universidad Veracruzana, Instituto de Medicina Forense, Boca del Río, Ver, Mexico.
authors: Rosa María
authors: RM
authors: Elizondo-Zapién
authors: Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Division for the Improvement of Health's Services Management, Mexico, D.F., Mexico.
authors: Dulce María
authors: DM
authors: Hernandez-Hernandez
authors: Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Hospital de Especialidades No. 25, UMAE, Av. Gonzalitos y Lincoln, Col. Nueva Morelos, Monterrey, NL 64300, Mexico.
authors: Rubén
authors: R
authors: Garza-Moya
authors: Autonomous University of Nuevo Leon (UANL). Nursing Graduate School. Av. Gonzalitos 1500 Nte, Col. Mitras Centro, 64460, Monterrey, Mexico.
authors: Ricardo Martín
authors: RM
authors: Cerda-Flores
keywords: Cancer prevention; Health education; High school; Intervention