From Awareness to Action: The Power of Knowledge and Media Influence in Shaping Women's Breast Self-Examination Behaviors and Influencing Factors

Abstract

Aim: This study aims to evaluate women's breast self-examination (BSE) behaviors and the factors influencing their decision to perform BSE. Method: This study is a cross-sectional study conducted on volunteer women aged 18 and above and applied to the family health center in Isparta between March and July 2024. The study was completed with 379 volunteer female participants. The questionnaire form, consisted of 19 questions, included questions regarding women's sociodemographic, health characteristics, and BSE knowledge and practice. Results: The mean age of the women participating in the study was 37.99±12.03, with an age range of 18 to 64 years. Although 59.1% of the women stated that they performed BSE, 70.7% reported not doing it regularly. The study found that the rate of regular BSE practice once a month is only 33.8%. Women who had encountered information about BSE on social media (%71.6, p<0.001) or on television (%72.6, p<0.001) had significantly higher rates of BSE practice. Conclusion: This study highlights the need for increased awareness and regular practice of BSE among women.

Keywords

• Breast self-examination
• Breast cancer
• Women
• Nursing

Farkındalıktan Eyleme: Bilginin ve Medya Etkisinin Kadınların Kendi Kendine Meme Muayenesi Davranışlarını ve Etkileyen Faktörleri Şekillendirmedeki Gücü

Abstract

Amaç: Bu çalışmada kadınların kendi kendine meme muayenesi (KKMM) davranışları ve KKMM yapma kararlarını etkileyen faktörler değerlendirilmesi amaçlanmıştır. Yöntem: Bu çalışma, Mart-Temmuz 2024 tarihleri arasında X şehir'daki aile sağlık merkezine başvuran 18 yaş ve üzeri gönüllü kadınlar üzerinde yürütülen kesitsel bir çalışmadır. Çalışma 379 gönüllü kadın katılımcı ile tamamlanmıştır. 19 sorudan oluşan anket formu, kadınların sosyodemografik, sağlık özellikleri ve KKMM bilgi ve uygulamaları ile ilgili soruları içermektedir. Bulgular: Çalışmaya katılan kadınların yaş ortalaması 37,99±12,03 olup yaş aralığı 18 ile 64 arasındadır. Kadınların %59,1'i KKMM yaptığını belirtmesine rağmen, %70,7'si düzenli olarak yapmadığını görülmüştür. Çalışmada, ayda bir kez düzenli BSE uygulama oranının yalnızca %33,8 olduğu bulunmuştur. Sosyal medyada (%71,6, p<0,001) veya televizyonda (%72,6, p<0,001) BSE hakkında bilgi edinen kadınların BSE uygulama oranları önemli ölçüde daha yüksek bulunmuştur. Sonuç: Bu çalışma, kadınlar arasında BSE konusunda farkındalığın ve düzenli uygulamanın artırılması gerektiğini vurgulamaktadır.

Keywords

• Kendi kendine meme muayenesi
• Meme Kanseri
• Kadın
• Hemşire

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