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Educare

Educare

MARZO 2009 N° 3 Volumen 7

Practical knowledge about self-examination of the breasts in women

Section: TEACHING TO LEARN

Authors

1Raiza Rodríguez Ramírez, 2Eisy Mercedes Infantes Pérez, 3Deysi Maritza San José Pérez, 4Miguel Ángel Lima Quirós, 4Tatiana Ochoa Roca, 5José Rafael Escalona Aguilera

Position

1Licenciada en Enfermería. Especialista de Primer Grado en Enfermería Comunitaria. Profesora Instructora.2Especialista de Primer Grado en Medicina General Integral.3Especialista de Primer Grado en Ginecobstetricia. Profesora Instructora.4Especialista de Primer Grado en Medicina General Integral. Profesor instructor.5de Primer Grado en Pediatría. Profesor Auxiliar.

Contact email: escalona@gibara.hlg.sld.cu

Abstract

A descriptive analysis was carried out aimed at identifying the level of practical knowledge about self-examination of the breasts in the female population residing at module B of the José Félix Ribas neighbourhood, parish of Petare at the Sucre Municipality at the Metropolitan District of Caracas during 2007. The sample consisted of 380 women who met the inclusion criteria and were given a questionnaire elaborated by the authors which included variables of interest. The results showed that women aged 30 to 44 years appear to be more informed about self-exploration of the breast. It was also shown that the level of educational and the incorporation of women into the labour force or into academic activities have a strong impact on the information the patient has regarding breast examination. The most commonly used information source was massive dissemination media. Respondents who indicated they carry out breast self-examinations on a regular basis were predominant but they did not appear to take into account the part of the menstrual cycle they are at, whilst the great majority saw no value in performing such diagnostic procedure. 

Keywords:

prevention of breast cancer; self-explorationdissemination programmes

Versión en Español

Título:

Conocimientos y prácticas de autoexamen de mama en mujeres