Assessment of the level of nursing students? knowledge and their health practices for breast cancer prevention.

2. SUMMARYThe aim of the study was to Assess The Level Of Nursing Students? Knowledge And Their Health Practices For Breast Cancer Prevention. Study population was comprised of 410 nursing students who were studying at the nursing school of a Foundation University.Data were collected using Student Information Form and Champion?s Health Belief Model Scale (CHBMS). Mean score of Champion?s Health Belief Model Scale?s susceptibility subscale was 2.58 ± 0.810, mean score of seriousness subscale was 3.08 ± 0.800, mean score of benefits subscale was 3.98 ± 1.011, mean score of barriers to BSE subscale was 2.30 ± 0.743, mean score of confidence/self-efficacy of BSE subscale was 3.48 ± 0.891, mean score of motivation subscale was 3.75 ± 0.865. Benefits subscale score of Champion?s Health Belief Model Scale was the highest (3.98 ± 1.011), and barriers to BSE subscale score was the lowest (2.30 ± 0.743). The current study found that there were statistically significant differences between students? beliefs and breast cancer screening attitudes in relation to students? age, the place of residence, perceived income level, a health history, a type of family, class, type of high school recently completed and perceived income level. Nursing students are very important since they can make impacts on maintaining and improving public health. It is vital to improve nursing students? knowledge and their practical skills about breast cancer, importance and methods of the breast self-examination for the prevention from breast cancer, and health promoting behaviours.Key words: Breast cancer, breast self-examination, students