Determining the need for a breast cancer awareness educational intervention for women with mild/moderate levels of intellectual disability: A qualitative descriptive study. (7th April 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Walsh, Susan; Hegarty, Josephine; Lehane, Elaine; Farrell, Dawn; Taggart, Laurence; Kelly, Louise; Sahm, Laura; Corrigan, Maria; Caples, Maria; Martin, Anne Marie; Tabirca, Sabin; Corrigan, Mark A.; O'Mahony, Mairin
• Is Part Of: European journal of cancer care. Volume 31:Number 4(2022)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2022-04-07
• Subjects: breast awareness -- breast cancer awareness -- education -- healthy living -- intellectual disability -- qualitative; Cancer -- Nursing -- Periodicals; 616.994
• DOI: 10.1111/ecc.13590
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0961-5423

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: Following a review of the existing body of literature, this study aimed to explore the need for a breast cancer awareness intervention specifically targeted at women with mild/moderate levels of intellectual disability (ID) and provide perspectives on the preferred processes and content underpinning an intervention. Methods: A qualitative, descriptive design using semi‐structured, individual ( n = 5) and focus group ( n = 5) interviews were used to engage with a non‐probability, purposive sample of key stakeholders ( n = 25) including women with mild/moderate levels of ID, caregivers and healthcare professionals. Data were analysed using qualitative content analysis. Results: Findings highlighted that an educational intervention should focus on breast awareness as opposed to breast cancer awareness. Additionally, findings identified that a combined breast awareness and healthy living intervention could be effective. However, the intervention needs to have a multimodal, hands‐on, person‐centred approach to learning which is underpinned by theory. Furthermore, integrating the caregivers and healthcare professionals into the intervention is recommended. Conclusion: Findings from this study provide a foundation for developing and implementing a theoretically underpinned, multimodal, breast awareness and healthy living educational intervention for women with mild/moderate levels of ID.