Nada Alwan, Wafa Attoof
Aims: To determine the effects of peer education on the level of knowledge about breast cancer among female university students in Baghdad city. Materials and Methods: A pre-test and post-test design was implemented to evaluate the effectiveness of a Breast Cancer educational model among 144 female university students (72 from the College of Nursing, Baghdad University (Group I) and 72 from the College of Education, English Department, Al-Mustansiriya University (Group II)). Before introducing the health education model, each participant completed a pre-coded standardized questionnaire, which was redistributed after the intervention to evaluate the level of gained knowledge. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square, independent Student's t-test, and paired Student's t-test. Results: The mean knowledge scores increased significantly from 54.375 ± 13.372 to 79.375 ± 10.875 among the first group and from 38.888 ± 15.749 to 69.097 ± 13.277 among the second (p < 0.001). Conclusions: There was a significant rise in the standard of knowledge about breast cancer after these interventions. Nurses and other health professionals are urged to gain adequate perception about breast cancer and to contribute effectively in promoting the primary health care system and cancer control planning programs.