Implementation of the BREAST-EDU SMART KIT to Improve Knowledge and Breast Self-Examination Skills among Adolescents in a Tropical Area

Abstract

Background: Breast cancer remains a major public health problem among women in tropical countries, where early detection plays a crucial role in reducing morbidity. Breast Self-Examination (BSE) is an essential preventive behavior that should be introduced during adolescence. The BREAST-EDU SMART KIT is an interactive health education media designed to enhance adolescents' knowledge and practical skills in performing BSE. Objective: To assess the effectiveness of the BREAST-EDU SMART KIT in improving knowledge and BSE skills among adolescent girls in a tropical area school setting. Method: This study employed a pre-experimental one-group pretest–posttest design involving 30 female students at Mataram City, West Nusa Tenggara. Knowledge and BSE skills were measured before and after the intervention. Data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test. Results: All participants (100%) demonstrated improvement in both knowledge and BSE performance following the intervention. The Wilcoxon test showed a statistically significant difference between pretest and posttest scores (p = 0.001; p < 0.05), indicating that the BREAST-EDU SMART KIT had a significant effect on learning outcomes. Discussion: The BREAST-EDU SMART KIT is an effective health education media for improving knowledge and Self-Breast Examination skills among adolescent girls in tropical school settings. This innovation has the potential to support early breast cancer prevention programs in public health and adolescent health promotion.