| Abstrakt: |
This study evaluated the impact of an educational workshop on nursing students' knowledge, attitudes, and personal practices regarding cancer prevention and early detection (CP&ED), as well as the effect that it had on their teaching of CP&ED recommendations. Four one-day workshops--which included lectures, small group discussions, and practice of early detection skills--were held in three cities in Minnesota. Students from baccalaureate, associate-degree, and practical nursing programs participated (N = 220). Preworkshop, postworkshop, and six-month follow-up surveys were used to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and self-practice of the participants, as well as their teaching of clients, family, friends, and peers. Data were analyzed with matched paired t-tests, chi-square, correlation, and analysis of variance. The postworkshop and six-month follow-up surveys showed improvement in the students' knowledge and attitudes; however, the only self-practice behaviors that changed within six months of the workshop were breast/testicular self-examinations. The results also showed that the students felt more confident and subsequently taught more clients, family, friends, and peers about the CP&ED recommendations. These findings indicate that educating students early in their careers may increase the number of people practicing CP&ED recommendations. |
