. Elaha Jafari; . Mahnaz Zarshenas; . Monireh Toosi; . Azar Nematollahi; . Mehrab Sayadi
Volume 13, Issue 1 , January 2023, , Pages 1-7
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer and a major cause of mortality amongwomen. Breast self‑examination (BSE) is a key technique for early diagnosis of breast cancer,which, ...
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BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer and a major cause of mortality amongwomen. Breast self‑examination (BSE) is a key technique for early diagnosis of breast cancer,which, along with lifestyle changes, can alleviate the risk of mortality. This study aimed to examinethe effect of self‑care training programs on lifestyle change and BSE of immigrant Afghan womenresiding in Iran.MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this quasi‑experimental study, 140 immigrant Afghan women visitinghealth‑care centers in Shiraz (Iran) were selected via convenience sampling during 2019–2020. Thedata were collected using a lifestyle questionnaire, a demographic information checklist, and a BSEchecklist. Following the pretest, the experimental group received three sessions of self‑care trainingand took the posttest 2 months after the intervention. The control group did not receive any intervention,but took the same posttest 2 months after the pretest. Data analysis was performed using paired andindependent t‑test and Chi‑squared test in Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) 22.RESULTS: The post‑intervention level of knowledge and performance of the experimental groupsignificantly increased in terms of a healthy lifestyle (P < 0.001) and performance of BSE (P < 0.001)compared to the control group. The intervention also had a significant positive effect (P < 0.000) onall dimensions of lifestyle.CONCLUSION: Self‑care training for lifestyle and BSE can promote the prevention and early diagnosisof breast cancer in immigrant Afghan women who have limited access to health care.
