Breast self-examination as prevention in adolescents from public and private high schools in neiva in 2009

Abstract

Early detection of breast cancer is of paramount importance for survival and prognosis of this pathology. This study aims mainly at identifying whether adolescents of basic secondary education know and carry out breast self-examination in a proper way. 

1000 surveys consisting of seventeen questions were administered to 9th, 10th and 11th graders from public and private high schools in Neiva-Huila, Colombia, between September and December, 2009. 

Based on the statistical data from the Departamento Administrativo Nacional de Estadistica (DANE), the approximate population between 14 and 18 years old (basic secondary education age), is of 32.000 adolescents in Neiva. Then, after selecting a sample, a survey is administered with permissible error of 0.0816% and a confidence rate of 99%.

From the surveyed sample, 71% know breast selfexamination; nevertheless, just 37% use the technique appropriately, 11,1% do breast self-examination a week after menstruation, 18,1% do it once in a month, 65,5% do not do it because of lack of technique. However, 99% of adolescents are interested in carrying out breast self-examination.

Education coming from parents, schools, governmental institutions and health care givers is poor since adolescents do not know breast self-examination.