Teach back educational strategy on knowledge about breast cancer among low health literate women

This randomized controlled trial examines the effectiveness of a “teach-back” educational strategy in increasing knowledge about breast cancer among women with low health literacy.

Data collection for this study was conducted at the Farabi Comprehensive Health Services Center in Sanandaj, Iran, between December 2020 and October 2022. In this randomized controlled trial, 84 women who had low health literacy were randomly allocated into groups of the study (teach back, and control groups). The educational intervention focused on increasing knowledge of breast cancer risk factors, signs and symptoms, early detection methods (including breast self-examination), and the importance of regular screening. The intervention group received 3 face to face education within three weekly sessions, each lasting 20 min. The Health Literacy Instrument for Adults (HELIA), breast cancer knowledge was measured by valid tool and compared in the two groups before and eight weeks after the interventions.

Mean scores of breast cancer knowledge revealed significant differences between intervention group and control group (P < 0.001) eight weeks after intervention. There were significant differences between baseline and follow-up measurement scores demonstrating that there were differences in the participants’ breast cancer knowledge (P < 0.001), and diagnosis technique knowledge (P < 0.008), between the intervention and control groups.

Teach Back educational strategy increased knowledge breast cancer among low health literacy women. Teach Back educational strategy seems to be effective for women with low health literacy.