BACKGROUND: An increase of access to knowledge about early detection techniques of breast cancer can reduce this mortality rate. This study aimed to determine the knowledge and source of information about early detection techniques of breast cancer among Iranian women. METHODS: Both International (PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar) and national (scientific information database [SID] and Magiran) databases were reviewed launching to September, 2017 to obtain related articles. Steps involving the screening, analysis of quality of the studies and extraction of papers were performed by two researchers. RESULTS: Of the 749 studies searched initially, 25 studies performed on 11,756 people were selected for the final stage. General knowledge for breast cancer screening among women ranged from 4.5% to 45%. The number of people with sufficient knowledge about breast self-examination in various studies was between 5% and 79.8%. The most important source of information was the Healthcare team. CONCLUSIONS: Considering the poor knowledge and different source of information, it is suggested that educational programs be conducted around the country especially in at-risk populations.
Breast Neoplasms ; Breast Self-Examination ; Breast ; Early Detection of Cancer ; Female ; Humans ; Iran ; Mass Screening ; Mortality ; Patient Care Team

BACKGROUND

BACKGROUNDDisagreement exists regarding the need for knowledge about complementary and integrative health (CIH) strategies, as well as for the need to consider such strategies in clinical nursing practice.

OBJECTIVEThis study was conducted to assess the knowledge, attitude and use of CIH strategies among nurses in Iran.

DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS AND INTERVENTIONSA cross-sectional study of nurses working in two hospitals of Zabol University of Medical Sciences, in southeast Iran, was conducted from October 2014 to April 2015. The questionnaire, developed specifically for this research, was used to assess the knowledge, attitude and use of CIH by nurses. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to interpret the survey responses.

RESULTSMost nurses (n=95, 60.5%) have average knowledge about CIH strategies with most holding a positive attitude about use (n=81, 51.6%). The majority (n=90, 57.3%) of nurses, however, never applied CIH methods. Where CIH was used, massage was most often clinically applied (n=129, 82.2%) and a large percentage believed it useful for treating illness (n=136, 87.9%). Other CIH methods commonly used included prayer and herbal medicine.

CONCLUSIONNurses have positive attitudes about CIH though knowledge was typically weak. Educational programs should carefully consider how knowledge about CIH methods could be strengthened within curricula.

Adult ; Complementary Therapies ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice ; Humans ; Integrative Medicine ; Iran ; Male ; Nurses