Effect of education via Whats App on knowledge, attitude and practice towards breast cancer screening among staffs in Islamic Azad University of Hamadan

Breast cancer is one of the most common malignancies and leading cause of death among women worldwide. Increase awareness, change the attitude and practice of women on breast cancer screening are effective way to reduce mortality due to early detection and treatment of breast cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of education on breast cancer screening by using WhatsApp platform among the staff of the Islamic Azad University of Hamadan.

A quasi-experimental study was conducted among 236 staffs in Islamic Azad University, Hamedan. Participants were randomized to either intervention group (118 staffs) or control group (118 staffs). One month’s education via wats up was delivered to the intervention group. The outcomes measures were assessed at baseline and three months after intervention. Chi-square and independent samples t-test were conducted in the course of the data analysis.

the results of this study showed; there were significant improvement in knowledge (p=0.02), attitude (p=0.01), BSE practice (p=0.00), CBE practice (p=0.004) and mammography practice (p=0.03) after intervention. There were not significant changes in control group before and after intervention.

Implementing educational intervention based on WATS up messenger can improve knowledge, attitude and breast cancer screening among participants. A public health education program is essential to improve breast cancer prevention among different group of people in community.