Participants and Setting

This study was conducted in the city of Jazan, in southwest Saudi Arabia. The targeted population included all female teachers (approximately 1400) among 75 schools belonging to the middle education office of the Jazan General Administration of Education, Ministry of Education. Teachers were chosen according to the following eligibility criteria: age ≥ 20 years, no history of BC (personally or in a first-degree relative), and not pregnant or breast feeding. Participants were excluded if they refused to give informed consent, or if any severe medical problem prevented participation. This study evaluated the effectiveness of health education in improving participants’ knowledge of BC screening tools and relevant practices, by comparing a health education group with a control group at three time points (baseline, 6 weeks, and 3 months). The dependent variables were the level of knowledge of BC detection and screening tools, and the practice thereof, including BSE, CBE, and mammography. The independent variables were the type of intervention, age, and social status.