Attitude and Practice of Nurses in Imparting Knowledge on Breast Self Examination to Women in Ajman, United Arab Emirates

Background: Breast Cancer is a life threatening disease affecting women. Awareness should be created among women for early detection of breast cancer. Nurses should provide information on BSE to women population as a part of their profession. The aim of this study was to assess the attitude and practice of nurses in imparting knowledge on BSE to female patients.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 154 nurses from different hospitals of UAE during the period June –November 2009. Self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. Data was analysed using PASW 17 version.

Results: Age group of the participants ranged between 20 and 59 years with a mean age of 31 years and SD of 7.3 years. Majority 90.3% have positive attitude in providing knowledge regarding risk factors of breast cancer and about the purpose of performing BSE. Eighty eight point three percent of the nurses were with a positive attitude toward providing information about BSE to all females who come to the hospital irrespective of their demand. Majority, 83.8% of the nurses reported, teaching method of BSE. Among the respondents 60.4% reported that they follow up their clients after imparting knowledge on BSE. There was a statistically significant (p<0.001) positive correlation between attitude and practice.

Conclusion: The results suggest the need of proving continuing educational programs to change the attitude and behavior towards imparting knowledge of BSE which inturn will have a positive effect on their practice of teaching and motivating the women group to perform BSE.