The relationship of breast self-examination to health belief model variables

The relationship between frequency of breast self-examination and Health Belief Model variables was assessed in a convenience sample of 588 women. Susceptibility, seriousness, benefits, barriers, health motivation, control, and knowledge of breast cancer and breast self-examination were measured by scales previously tested for validity and reliability. Individual items measured the frequency of breast self-examination and the method by which breast self-examination was taught. Multiple regression and discriminant analysis demonstrated that barriers, knowledge, and susceptibility were correlated with frequency of breast self-examination (R = .53, p = less than or equal to .001). In addition, persons taught by a doctor or nurse evidenced greater frequency of breast self-examination than those taught in other ways.     

Use of the health belief model in determining frequency of breast self-examination

The purpose of this research was to identify the relationships of attitudes about breast self-examination and breast cancer to the frequency of breast self-examination. The health belief model was used as a theoretical base. Likert scales were developed for the independent variables of susceptibility, seriousness, benefit, barriers, and health motivation; the dependent variable was frequency of breast self-examination. A convenience sample of 301 women was drawn from a large metropolitan city. Self-administered questionnaires contained the developed scales, a measure of frequency of breast self-examination, and demographic variables. Results supported the health belief model's prediction of frequency of breast self-examination (R = .51; p less than or equal to .01). In addition, the variables of seriousness, benefits, barriers, and health motivation discriminated groupings according to frequency of breast self-examination. Results support the relationship of the health belief model variable to the behavior of breast self-examination Nursing implications are discussed.     

Breast self-examination: a new training method

Breast self-examination is an important, well-established method of cancer detection. Some authors disagree as to its value and regard physical examination by a physician as superior. Many women, however, do not have an annual physical examination, and the majority (80%) discover their own breast cancer. Proponents find that monthly breast self-examination leads to earlier diagnosis and treatment, and to improved prognosis. Only one third of women are performing monthly breast self-examination, and most do so with inadequate technique and poor comprehension. They are unable to distinguish normal from abnormal findings, and corrective measures are necessary. Health professionals, the best source of patient instruction, should periodically recheck the patient's performance. The technique taught should be uniform and uncomplicated. A simple way to demonstrate common benign and malignant lesions is presented to improve the patient's understanding, skill, and confidence.     

Breast self-examination and breast awareness: a literature review

Aim. To explore the literature on breast self‐examination and breast awareness. Objectives. To clarify the confusion surrounding breast awareness and breast self‐examination. To critique the evidence for breast awareness as a health promotion tool. Background. Over 41 000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer each year in the United Kingdom. Compared with other European countries, women in England have poor survival prospects, for breast cancer, due in part to advanced disease at first presentation. In the United Kingdom, women are encouraged to be breast aware from the age of 18. However, the evidence suggests that women do not engage in breast awareness and are frightened and confused about their role in breast health promotion. Methodology. Four databases were used: Medline, Ebsco including CINAHL and Sociological Abstracts and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. The search terms ‘breast awareness’ and ‘breast self‐examination’ were used and combined with ‘breast cancer’, ‘breast screening’ and ‘health promotion’. Conclusion. The evidence on breast self‐examination is clear, there is no benefit to breast cancer mortality and results suggest that breast self‐examination may do more harm than good. Breast awareness provides women with some acknowledgement of the part they can play in being empowered to fight breast disease, not in terms of statistics used for mortality but on the qualitative effects of reductions in morbidity. Relevance to clinical practice. The Royal College of Nursing of The United Kingdom is actively encouraging all nurses to promote breast awareness along with clear guidelines for doing so. The United Kingdom National Health Service Cancer Plan: a plan for investment, a plan for reform, encourages preventive care, information giving, good communication as well as evidence‐based practice. In breast care this can reduce confusion for women and encourage empowerment in breast health promotion.     

Breast self-examination training: a brief review.

A review of the literature on breast self-examination training indicated that any training in breast self-examination improves compliance, confidence, and proficiency; the evidence is unclear about the relative effectiveness of group or individual training; practice on breast models and on the woman's own breasts should be included in breast self-examination training; additional training sessions improve compliance and proficiency; reminders increase compliance, but the effect ceases when the reminders cease; and it is particularly important for older women to search their breasts slowly and thoroughly. Several other new approaches to breast self-examination training are discussed.     

Effects of a procedural/belief intervention on breast self-examination performance

The purpose of this study was to test the effect of a theoretically based nurse-delivered intervention on BSE behavior. A 2 × 2 prospective, randomized, factorial design yielded four groups: control, belief intervention, procedural intervention, and procedural/belief intervention. A total of 301 women were randomly selected from a target population. One year following intervention, significant differences in self-reported proficiency, observer-rated proficiency, and sensitivity (lump detection) were found between the Procedural and Control Group and the Procedural/Belief and Control Group. Significant increases were found on observer-rated proficiency and sensitivity for the Procedural/Belief Group when compared to the Belief Group. In addition, a significant increase was found in the Procedural/Belief Group on nodule detection, when compared to the Procedural Group alone. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

The nurse-patient relationship: theme and variations

The nurse-patient relationship traditionally has been thought central to professional practice. For several decades, nurse theorists have explored the communication processes which mediate clinical practice and the variously described outcomes of these processes. Yet while interpersonal skills and personal attributes have been considered integral to professional bonding, and while outcomes of the process are widely discussed, clinically based validation of theorized process components has not been definitively accomplished. To this end, 67 critical incidents concerning experienced clinicians' perceptions of their closest professional relationships were analysed. The perceived professional bond was demonstrated to be a cumulative process of attachment with three qualitatively different levels of involvement and two impasse states. The most intense levels of attachment were perceived to be the most beneficial by the nurses who described relationships characterized by mutuality and reciprocity. This level was not, however, achieved by all nurses in the sample. Implications of the perceived outcomes of the most intimate professional relationships were discussed.     

The health belief model and cardiac rehabilitation

The Health Belief Model and the questionnaire presented can be a useful tool in providing professional nursing care of the cardiac patient. The HBM has evolved through different purposes and uses, but always has as its underlying goal that of predicting behavior. Utilizing this specific tool, the HBM framework not only aids in predicting behavior but also indicates areas in a patient's health beliefs where nurses may intervene and provide quality care.     

CT enterography technique: theme and variations

CT enterography has rapidly gained acceptance as a method for visualizing the small bowel lumen, wall and mesentery for a variety of clinical indications. Focusing on the identification of Crohn’s disease, and vascular and neoplastic small bowel masses, this review summarizes oral contrast agents and CT acquisition techniques used for CT enterography, alternatives that can be used to tailor the exam for specific indications, and how such variations affect the appearance of a variety of pathologies at CT imaging.     

Breast self-examination: an analysis of self-reported practice

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the performance of breast self-examiniation (BSE) and age, place of residence, ethnic background and religion, as well as whether a group willing to take part in an interview regarding BSE mirrored the whole population. Six hundred and ninety-four (69.4%) women, aged 25–80, responded to the questionnaire. Of gthese, 69.6% examined their breasts. Whether the subjects lived in urban or rural areas was of no importance for practising BSE, nor was country of birth or number of years in Sweden. A larger proportion of women aged 45–80 practised BSE compared with women aged 25–44 ( P < 0.001), the former practising BSE once a month or more. Step-wise logistic regression analysis showed that, for the whole sample as well as for the interview group, age was the only significant predictor of breast self-examination ( P < 0.001). There were no significant differences between the whole sample and the interview group. The importance of younger women performing the examiniation is stressed. Dur to nurses being strategically located in a wide range of geographical locations, allowing them to meet women in different settings, they are a good choice for motivating women to prctise BSE.     

健康信念模式对医护人员健康状态的影响因素研究

目的探讨医护人员的健康信念模式对其健康状态的影响因素。方法以健康信念模式为基础设计问卷,对某医院1473名医护人员进行问卷调查,并对调查结果进行统计分析。结果性别、年龄、岗位和工作年限是健康信念的主要影响因素,而健康信念与抽烟、饮酒、定期服药、睡眠时间、夜间工作时间和运动习惯等行为显著相关,而定期服药、睡眠时间、夜间工作时间和运动习惯显著影响医护人员的健康状态。结论健康信念、健康行为及健康状态密切相关,应普及健康信念模式,促进医护人员身体健康。     

Instrument development for health belief model constructs

Research was conducted to develop valid and reliable scales to test the Health Belief Model (HBM). The dependent variable chosen for scale development was frequency of breast self-examination. Independent variables were constructs related to the HBM: susceptibility, seriousness, benefits, barriers, and health motivation. Analyses for construct validity and theory testing included factor analysis and multiple regression. Chronbach Alpha and Pearson r were used to compute reliabilities. Scales that were judged valid and reliable were susceptibility, seriousness, benefits, barriers, and health motivation.     

Alcohol use and sexual arousal research: application of the health belief model

This article summarizes research findings related to alcohol use and sexual responsiveness within the framework of Becker's health belief model. Application is discussed in relation to the health care practitioner concerned with interventions for preventing alcohol abuse and promoting sexual health. Particular emphasis is given to clients in late adolescence.