An Assessment of Breast Self-Examination Educational Outreach Led by Community Health Nurses

African Journal of Nursing and Midwifery | Vol. 14, No. 9, September 2026 | pp. 198–206

DOI: 10.46882/2026/AJNM/000154

Original Research Article

Title: An Assessment of Breast Self-Examination Educational Outreach Led by Community Health Nurses

Names of Authors: Lamin K. Sanneh¹, Oshone A. Imoudu²

Authors’ Affiliations:
¹Department of Nursing and Reproductive Health, University of The Gambia, Banjul, The Gambia
²Department of Maternal and Child Health Nursing, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria

Abstract:
Delayed oncology screening for breast malignancies drives poor maternal survival metrics, which requires localized preventive outreach campaigns. This quasi-experimental study evaluated the efficacy of a community health nurse (CHN)-led educational intervention on breast self-examination (BSE) knowledge levels and practical application tracking among rural women. A cluster sampling design selected 240 women across ten rural zones, dividing them into an interactive outreach cohort (n = 120) and a control cohort (n = 120) receiving standard print pamphlets. Data tracking occurred at baseline and three months post-intervention. The results showed that excellent BSE proficiency scores grew from 12.5% to 74.2% within the CHN-led group (p < 0.001), while the control group showed no significant shift (14.2% to 16.8%). The frequency of monthly self-screening routines grew substantially among women who attended the hands-on educational sessions (AOR = 3.15, 95% CI: 1.82–5.44, p = 0.001). The primary execution hurdle reported by the outreach nursing teams was traveling over poor roads to remote areas due to restricted transport budgets. Culturally adapted health education led by community nurses is an excellent approach for improving early preventative wellness habits in remote zones.

Keywords: Breast Self-Examination; Community Health Nursing; Health Education; Oncology Screening; Rural Outreach; Prevention.

Manuscript Timeline: Received July 12, 2026; Revised August 28, 2026; Accepted September 14, 2026; Published September 25, 2026.

Citation: Sanneh, L. K., & Imoudu, O. A. (2026). An Assessment of Breast Self-Examination Educational Outreach Led by Community Health Nurses. African Journal of Nursing and Midwifery, 14(9), 198–206. DOI: 10.46882/2026/AJNM/000154

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