Conocimiento y prácticas preventivas del cáncer de mama en estudiantes de enfermería

Abstract

Introduction: Breast cancer is a neoplasm that mainly affects women and generates high mortality rates. Health promotion and disease prevention are fundamental keys to reduce the incidence of disease, hence the essential role of nurses, who are responsible for orienting the population and educating them about self-care. Objective: To assess the knowledge and practice of breast cancer preventive measures in nursing students. Methods: A quantitative, nonexperimental, cross-sectional, correlational research was stablished. The sample was selected by simple random probability variety and consisted of 156 female students from fifth to seventh semester of the Nursing career of the Technical University of Ambato. Two questionnaires were applied, which assess the level of knowledge about breast cancer and the execution of preventive practices. The data was analyzed using statistical software and denoted through frequency and contingency tables. Data was collected and analyzed using statistical software and represented through frequency and contingency tables. Results: Sixthsemester participants were predominant (62.3%), of whom (37.1%) and (2.7%) had a medium and low level of knowledge, respectively, as well as inadequate prevention practices. Furthermore, it was observed that there is lack of knowledge in dimensions such as: breast self-examination and screening mammography, treatment and signs in the clinical phase, corresponding proportionally to 66%; 52.6%; 51.3%. Conclusion: A substantial group of students provide a medium and low level of knowledge about the subject, so they maintain inadequate preventive practices.