PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was 1) to classify the stage of adoption 2) to compare the decisional balance and confidence by stage of adoption 3) to identify factors influenced the stage of adoption for breast self exam. METHOD: A comparative study using a survey method with convenience sample of 143 women was used. Decisional balance and confidence was measured using the CHBMS-K. Stage of adoption for BSE was measured by a single item modified by the researchers based on the Rakowski et al (1992). RESULT: 1) The number of women in each stage of adoption for BSE was as follows; maintenance phase, 7.7% (n=11), action phase, 49.0% (n=70), contemplation phase, 35.0% (n=50) and pre- contemplation phase, 8.4%(n=12). 2) The mean difference in the decisional balance (F=4.32, p=.006) and confidence (F=13.85, p=.000) according to the stage of BSE adoption was statistically significant. 3) Prevention education and confidence accounted for 32% of variance in BSE. CONCLUSION: Assessment of decisional balance and stage of adoption for BSE can guide planning for cancer prevention education. We must educate women to have confidence in BSE. Further, it is important to urge women to continually practice BSE.
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