Breast cancer prevention: The knowledge and skills of final-year undergraduate nursing students

[摘要] A quantitative research study in the form of a descriptive survey was undertaken with theaim of determining the level of knowledge and skills of final-year undergraduate nursingstudents relating to breast cancer prevention. The research objectives were as follows: todetermine the awareness of, and orientation toward breast cancer preventative measuresof final-year undergraduate nursing students; to determine the level of knowledgeregarding breast cancer prevention of final-year undergraduate nursing students; to assesstheir psychomotor skills in performing a clinical breast examination; and to identifycritical knowledge and skill deficits, with regard to breast cancer prevention. Data werecollected from a sample of final-year undergraduate nursing students (n=62) from threeuniversities in Gauteng. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect datarelating to theoretical knowledge. Direct, structured observation, using a self-compiledchecklist, enabled the collection of data relating to psychomotor skills in clinical breastexaminations. Data analysis was done with the aid of two computer software packages,namely MoonStats and Microsoft Excel. The findings of the research revealed that,although the students were positively orientated to the issue of breast cancer prevention,their theoretical knowledge regarding it was not largely below the level that would deemthem competent. The mean score for theoretical knowledge regarding breast cancerprevention was 56%. In addition, the scores for their psychomotor skills in carrying out aclinical breast examination were generally poor. The mean score in this component of thestudy was 45%. Major theoretical and skill deficits were identified from the findings ofthe study.Recommendations proposed comprehensive educational coverage of breast cancerprevention in nursing curricula. It was suggested that nursing students become moreactively involved in the promotion of breast cancer prevention in underservedcommunities. Furthermore it is suggested that nurses and nursing students become moreinvolved in ongoing research in the field of breast cancer prevention.

[发布机构] University of the Witwatersrand