ABSTRACT

Hannah Marielle P. Lozada, Erma Grace A. Yuson, Ivy Marie G. Samar, Luckylen J. Gueta, "KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICES ON BREAST SELF-EXAMINATION (BSE) AMONG LEVEL IV FEMALE NURSING STUDENTS IN AQUINAS UNIVERSITY OF LEGAZPI" (An Undergraduate Thesis, Aquinas University College of nursing and Health Sciences, Rawis, Legazpi City, SY 2013-2014)

Breast self-examination (BSE) is essential to all women. Yet, the compliance on performing BSE is not always observed in a specific time or instances due to some problems. This study determined the knowledge and practices on BSE among level IV nursing students in Aquinas University of Legazpi. It sought answers to the following questions: 1) What is the demographic profile of the respondents in terms of: age and Civil Status; 2) What is the knowledge level on Breast Self-Examination of the respondents in terms of a) Proper timing and technique, b) Benefits of performing BSE; 3) To what extent do the respondents practice breast self-examination?; 4) What are the factors that affect the practice of breast self-examination among the respondents?; and 5) What measures may be proposed to enhance the knowledge of the respondents on the importance of breast self-examination?

This study was conducted in Aquinas University of Legazpi Rawis, Legazpi City. It focused on the knowledge and practices of level IV female nursing students. The theories on which the study was anchored were those of Orem on Self Care and Jean
Watson's theory on philosophy on science of caring. The study utilized the descriptive method of research and the survey technique was
used for gathering data. The questionnaire served as the instrument for collecting data. The statistical treatments employed in the study were frequency count, percentage, and weighted mean. The researchers utilized total enumeration of the population. The primary sources of the data were the responses given by the level IV female Nursing students of Aquinas University of Legazpi City. There was a total of 37 respondents.
The following were the findings with regard to: Demographic Profile of Level IV female nursing students in terms of age and civil status. As to age, results show that 11 or 29.73% respondents are 19 years old followed by 21 years old with frequency of 10 or 27.03%. Only 1 or 2.70% was found to be 27 years old; In line with the civil status 32 or 86.5% respondents were single, 5 or 13.5% were found to be solo parent, and no married student was found. This data implied that most of the respondents were 20 years old and above and capable of performing BSE. This means that the respondents or the Level IV nursing students should give more attention to understanding that BSE should start at the age of 20 years old.

On Proper Timing and Technique it was shown that the indicators, "noting breast changes like size, shape, discharges, texture, contour or dimpling was also included in doing BSE" and "the procedure in doing BSE should be done one at a time and can be repeated in same way to the other breast", both got the highest frequency of 35 or 94.59 % on "Yes" answers. However, the indicator "practicing of BSE should start at the age of 20 years old got the least yes answer among the indicators with the frequency of 8 or 21.62%. Findings implied that most of the respondents were knowledgeable on the proper timing and technique in terms of noting breast changes like size, shape, discharges, texture, contour or dimpling and that the procedure in doing BSE should be done one at a time and can be repeated in same way to the other breast while the respondents have least understanding that BSE should start at the age of 20 years old.

By this the respondents should be aware that BSE prevents future problem on the breast. It is therefore recommended that pamphlets with actual demonstration be distributed further consideration for better understanding about the proper practice of BSE. On benefits of performing BSE, the data shows that the following indicators were answered by yes: BSE helps detect breast cancer in its earliest stage; BSE identifies sign and symptoms of breast disease and initiate early treatment; By detecting problem in the breast through BSE you can greatly improve chance of survival from breast cancer; BSE helps detect breast cancer in its earliest stage; BSE will detect the monthly breast changes like presence of lumps, dimpling and discharges got the percentage of 36 or 97.29%. However, the indicator BSE prevents future problem on the breast has the least answered of yes with the frequency and percentage of 33 or 89.18 %, respectively. Findings showed that most of the respondents believe on the following that BSE helps detect breast cancer in its earliest stage: It identifies sign and symptoms of breast disease and initiate early treatment; By detecting problem in the breast through BSE you can greatly improve chance of survival from breast cancer; Then helps detect
breast cancer in its earliest stage; and BSE will detect the monthly breast changes like presence of lumps, dimpling and discharges as the benefits of the BSE. However some of the respondents are not aware that BSE prevents future problem on the breast as a benefit. That's why educating women on breast self-examination with emphasis on the importance and benefits of breast self-examination should be
given importance to encourage women for the early detection method giving rise to early treatment of early stage disease.

With regards to what extent do the respondents practiced breast self-examination, findings show that the indicator "Performing BSE assessing each underarm while sitting up or standing the arm and should be slightly raised to easily feel the area" got the highest weighted mean of 3.45 with adjectival interpretation of "Always". However, the indicator "Performs BSE while lying down" has the lowest weighted mean of 2.48 with the adjectival interpretation of "Sometimes". The overall weighted mean of the variables related to the extent of I3SE practice that play significant on the respondent's aspect was 2.97 with the adjectival interpretations of "sometimes." Meaning, 40-59% the respondents are practice BSE. Based from the total weighted mean the respondents or the level IV Nursing students should take good practice habits at all times for early detection and prevention of any problems concerning the breast. With regards to the factors that affect the practice of breast self-examination among the respondents, the result shows that 15 or 20.83% of the respondents answered that they do not know the proper guidelines of doing BSE. Followed by 14 or 19.44% telling that they were afraid of knowing/detecting any abnormalities on their breast and 11 or 15.28% that BSE was time consuming. While the indicator "Too much tasks on my part" got the frequency and percentage of 1 or 1.39 which has the same
frequency and percentage to the indicator "Laziness" that came from the respondents as one of the factors that affect the practice of BSE and "Doing BSE is complicated" has zero percentage as factor that affects the practice of BSE. The data indicate that most of the respondents do not know the proper guidelines of doing BSE as the factor affecting their practice on BSE. From the learning perspective, it can be understood that BSE skills are not typically performed often, and there is limited opportunity for corrective feedback and reinforcement. Evidence suggests that performance deteriorates after only one training session for BSE. Reassessment and retraining are necessary for continuing learning about the said examination. The respondents should discipline themselves in observing proper BSE practice. They should develop a time table so that they can manage their time for extracurricular activities and academic work. Regarding the knowledge in the proper guidelines of performing BSE they must update themselves through reading pamphlets or any reading materials in connection with their breast.

Based on the findings, the following conclusions were drawn: Most of the respondents are 20 years old and above deemed to be capable of performing BSE and were single; The respondents' knowledge level on BSE along Proper Timing and Technique showed they are knowledgeable about noting breast changes like size, shape, discharges, texture, contour and dimpling included in doing BSE and in doing
it should be done one at a time and can be repeated in the same way to the other breast.

However, they are less knowledgeable that BSE should start at the age of 20 years old. As to Benefits of Performing BSE, the respondents were also knowledgeable that BSE helps detect breast cancer in its earliest stage, identifies sign and symptoms of breast disease and initiate early treatment, detecting problem in the breast through BSE can greatly improve chance of survival to breast cancer, helps detect breast cancer in its earliest stage, and detects the monthly breast changes like presence of lumps, dimpling and discharges. However, they are less aware that BSE could prevent future problem in the breast; On the extent of BSE practices, it could be concluded that the respondents perform more BSE by assessing each under arm while sitting up or standing the arm and should be slightly raised to easily feel the area rather than performing BSE while lying down; And the main factor that affects the practice of BSE shows that the respondents do not know the proper guidelines of doing
BSE.

In view of the findings and conclusions, the following recommendations were made: The respondents or the Level IV nursing students should give more attention to understanding that BSE should start at the age of 20 years old; Respondents should be aware that BSE prevents future problem on the breast. It is therefore recommended that pamphlet with actual demonstration be given further consideration for better understanding about the proper practice of BSE; Educating women on breast self-examination with emphasis on the importance and benefits of breast self-examination to encourage women for the early detection method giving rise to early treatment of early stage disease, hence, decreased mortality. The respondents or the level IV nursing students should take good practice habits at all times for early detection and prevention of any problems concerning the breast; from the learning perspective, it can be understood that BSE skills are not typically performed often, and there is limited opportunity for corrective feedback and reinforcement. Evidence suggests that performance deteriorates after
only one training session for BSE. Reassessment and retraining are necessary for continuing learning about the said examination; And the respondents should discipline themselves in observing proper BSE practice. They should develop a time table so that they can manage their time for extracurricular activities and academic work. Regarding knowing the proper guidelines of performing BSE, they must update themselves through reading pamphlets or any reading materials in connection with their breast.