The effectiveness of of face-to-face and virtual education on the theory of planned behavior on breast self-examination: A randomized clinical trial study

Determining the effectiveness of face-to-face and virtual training based on the theory of planned behavior on breast self-examination

In this randomized controlled clinical trial, 240 women were randomly assigned to three groups of 80 people in face-to-face, virtual, and control groups. The random sequence of people in the intervention or control groups was done through block building with a ratio of 1:1.

Women aged 30-55 referring to comprehensive urban and rural health centers of Babol University of Medical Sciences are selected as available, then their knowledge and practice are measured with a knowledge questionnaire and a practice observation form. Each of the women whose knowledge and practice scores are weak are included in the study. Women who meet the criteria for entering the study are randomly assigned to three groups: face-to-face intervention, virtual intervention, and control.

Inclusion criteria: Age 30-55 years At least fifth-grade education Iranian race Poor knowledge and practice score A resident of Babol city Willingness to participate in the study Exclusion criteria: Average and strong knowledge and practice score Pregnancy and breastfeeding at the time of study History of benign and malignant breast cancer in the individual and in first-degree relatives Health care workers People with health-related education Migration

Breast self-examination training based on the theory of planned behavior was held in groups in four consecutive 50-minute weekly sessions for face-to-face and virtual training groups (three theory sessions and one practical training session). The control group did not receive any intervention.

Attitude, Normative, Perceived behavioral control, Behavioral intention, Behavior, knowledge, Practice

Subjects are randomly divided into three groups after applying the entry and exit criteria in the form of random allocation using the alternative block method. The size of the blocks is six, and six blocks will be produced 40 times using the statistical software. Considering that sampling is done in eight centers, a sample list of 240 items will be produced. Using this randomly generated list, the participants are assigned to three groups of 80 people in face-to-face, virtual, and control groups. The random sequence of people in the intervention or control groups is done through block building with a ratio of 1:1, and the researcher cannot predict the placement of the next person in any of the two groups.