Evaluate the effectiveness of training and awareness of thesymptoms of breast cancer in female high school students inIsfahan province in the primary prevention

Introduction: Prevention programs have not achieved the expectedresults in preventing mortality from breast and cervical cancer inEsfahan. Therefore, we propose a complementary strategy.Methodology: An educational strategy for high school students inEsfahan (2015) was designed (longitudinal design, two measurementsand a single intervention). The post intervention assessment included:1) knowledge acquired by students about cancer prevention and 2) Theperformance of the student as a health promoter in their household. Thestrategy was based on analysis of cases and developed in three sessions.An assessment tool was designed and validated (Test–Retest). Thelevels of knowledge according to the qualifications expected by chancewere determined. Wilcoxon test compared results before and afterintervention. Results: An assessment instrument with 0.80 reliabilitywas obtained. 120 high school students were analyzed. Wilcoxon ranksum 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 sensitizeindividuals to prevention campaigns against cancer. This strategyproved to improve the level of knowledge of students in an easy andaffordable way

کلیدواژه ها:

awareness ، symptoms ، breast cancer ، province ، primary prevention