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The Effectiveness of a Community-Based Breast Cancer Education Intervention in the New York State Capital Region

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Abstract

We determined the effectiveness of a community-based breast cancer education intervention among understudied populations in the New York State (NYS) Capital Region by assessing and comparing baseline and post-education breast cancer knowledge. Participants included 417 students recruited from five colleges/universities and 67 women from four community group organizations. Baseline and post-education knowledge was assessed via self-administered mostly multiple-choice questionnaires. An open-ended question soliciting opinions about public health prevention strategies against breast cancer was included on college/university students’ questionnaires. Effectiveness of education intervention was estimated through a paired t test. Stratified analysis was done using demographic and descriptive variables. Answers to the open-ended questions were analyzed qualitatively. The mean percentage of correct answers increased from 39.9 % at baseline to 80.8 % post-education (P < 0.0001) among college/university students and from 43.5 % to 77.8 % (P < 0.0001) among community group members. Effectiveness remained statistically significant in all stratified analyses with similarly high percentage of correct answers achieved post-education irrespective of knowledge level at baseline. Stratified analysis also revealed similar patterns of improvement in overall knowledge and narrowing of the gap in post-education knowledge. Primary prevention emerged as the dominant theme post-education in students’ responses to the open-ended question, signifying the effectiveness of our education in raising awareness about modifiable risk factors and inspiring proactive thinking about public health prevention strategies. This community-based education intervention was effective in increasing breast cancer knowledge among demographically diverse groups with low levels of baseline knowledge in the NYS Capital Region. Our findings provide leads for future public health prevention strategies.

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Acknowledgments

This study was funded through a grant from the New York State Health Research Science Board (HRSB), Patricia S. Brown Breast Cancer Education Community Based Demonstration (RFA 0812160859) to Capital Region Action Against Breast Cancer (CRAAB!) organization and to University at Albany (Principal Investigator: Dr. Roxana Moslehi). Our sincere thanks to Ms. Margaret Roberts, the project director for this intervention study at CRAAB!, for preparing and delivering the Powerpoint® presentations and helping with many other aspects of the study. Guidance by and discussions with Dr. David O. Carpenter were invaluable to the success of the overall intervention study. We appreciate all input and contributions by Bonnie Spanier, Ph.D., Emerita Professor at University at Albany, SUNY and a member of CRAAB!. We also thank Ms. Kim Baker, M.S., R.N. at CRAAB! for her help with preparing the educational material and Ms. Joan Sheehan for organizing the community group educational sessions. Finally, we extend our thanks to the professors and students from participating colleges and universities as well as to the organizers and members of participating community groups.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Albany, State University of New York, Rensselaer, NY, USA

    Nur Zeinomar & Roxana Moslehi

  2. Cancer Research Center, University at Albany, State University of New York, Room 208, 1 Discovery Drive, Rensselaer, NY, 12144, USA

    Roxana Moslehi

Authors
  1. Nur Zeinomar
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  2. Roxana Moslehi
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Correspondence to Roxana Moslehi.

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Zeinomar, N., Moslehi, R. The Effectiveness of a Community-Based Breast Cancer Education Intervention in the New York State Capital Region. J Canc Educ 28, 466–473 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13187-013-0488-7

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