The effects of empowerment program for women of reproductive age on knowledge and behavior of breast cancer prevention at Ban Na Bua District Health Promoting Hospital.

Abstract

     This quasi-experimental study aimed to examine the effects of an empowerment program for women of reproductive age on health literacy and breast cancer preventive behaviors at Ban Nabua Subdistrict Health Promoting Hospital. The study included 35 participants. The research instruments consisted of two components: the intervention program and data collection instruments, including (1) a personal information questionnaire, (2) a health literacy questionnaire, (3) a breast cancer prevention behavior questionnaire, and (4) an empowerment questionnaire. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, including frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation, while a paired t-test was used to compare pre- and post-intervention outcomes. Data were collected between November 1, 2025, and February 1, 2026.

     The results showed that the 35 participants had a mean age of 42.34 years (SD = 11.22), ranging from 24 to 59 years. Most participants had a normal body mass index (BMI) (51.4%), followed by those who were overweight or obese (31.4%) and those who were underweight (17.1%). Regarding educational attainment, the majority had completed primary education or lower (51.4%), while 48.6% had completed secondary education. After participating in the empowerment program, the experimental group demonstrated significantly higher mean scores in health literacy and breast cancer preventive behaviors than before the intervention (p < .05), indicating that the program was effective in improving health literacy and promoting breast cancer prevention among women of reproductive age.