Create Account
Set up your author account to submit and track manuscripts.
Effect of a Genetic Counselling Educational Intervention on Nurses' Knowledge and Self-Reported Skills for Breast Cancer Risk Assessment in Ekiti State, Nigeria
Authors
Adeniji, Oluwabunmi Mercy¹, RN, BNSc, MSc, PhD
Samuel, Godwin Atayi², RN, RM, RPHN, RNE, BNSc, PGDE, MNSc
Ogbe, Happiness Ejura², RN, RM, BNSc
Ogbu, Rosemary Odeh², RN, RM, BNSc
Okafor, Fidelis Uchendi³, RN, BNSc, MSc, PhD
Ogunkorode, Olufunke Agatha⁴, RN, BSc, MSc, PhD
Oyetade, Seyi Olaide⁵, RN, RM, RNE, BNSc, PGDE, MNSc
Correspondence:
Samuel, Godwin Atayi², RN, RM, RPHN, RNE, BNSc, PGDE, MNSc
Department of Nursing, Federal University Lokoja
Email: godwinatayis@gmail.com
ONLINE ISSN: 2645-2936
PRINT ISSN: 0795 – 6541
Editor-in-chief
Prof. (Mrs.) Ijeoma O. Ehiemere
University of Nigeria
Editorial Secretary
Dr. Goodluck I. Nshi
Aspen University, Denver, CO, U.S.A.
Assistant Editorial Secretary
Prof. Emmanuel Ejembi Anyebe
University of Ilorin, Nigeria
Institutional Affiliation(s)
¹ Department of Nursing, Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria
² Department of Nursing, Federal University Lokoja, Lokoja, Kogi State, Nigeria
³ Department of Nursing, University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria
⁴ Department of Nursing, Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria
⁵ Department of Nursing, Federal University Oye-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria
Citation
Adeniji, O.M., Samuel, G.A., Ogbe, H.E., Ogbu, R.O., Okafor, F.U., & Ogunkorode, A.O. (2026). Effect of a genetic counselling educational intervention on nurses' knowledge and self-reported skills for breast cancer risk assessment in Ekiti State, Nigeria. The Nursing Scope, 9(2), 126-144. ISSN: 2645-2936 (Online); 0795–6541 (Print). https://doi.org/10.59073/thenursingscope92/126-144
Keywords
Abstract
Background: Breast cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related morbidity and mortality among women worldwide, and genetic predisposition is an important contributor to susceptibility. As frontline healthcare professionals, nurses play a critical role in identifying individuals at risk and providing genetic information and referrals. However, deficiencies in nurses' knowledge and skills regarding genetic assessment and counselling continue to limit the effective integration of genomics into routine nursing practice.
Aim: This study determined nurses' baseline knowledge of genetic assessment and counselling and evaluated the effect of a genetic counselling educational intervention on their knowledge and self-reported skills for breast cancer risk assessment in Ekiti State, Nigeria.
Method: A quasi-experimental pre-test/post-test control-group design was employed among 400 nurses from three tertiary hospitals in Ekiti State, Nigeria. Participants were assigned to intervention (n = 200) and control (n = 200) groups via multistage sampling with simple random allocation. Baseline data were collected using the Genetic and Genomic Nursing Practice Survey (GGNPS). The intervention group received structured education on genetic assessment and counselling; the control group received standard breast cancer education. Post-intervention assessment occurred six weeks later, and data were analysed using independent- and paired-samples t-tests at p < 0.05.
Findings: Following the intervention, nurses in the intervention group demonstrated significantly higher knowledge scores than those in the control group (6.07 ± 0.91 vs. 5.72 ± 1.09; t(385.46) = –3.55, p < 0.001). Significant improvements were also observed in participants' self-reported skills in obtaining comprehensive family histories, identifying individuals requiring genetic counselling referral, assessing genetic susceptibility to breast cancer, and communicating the benefits, risks, and limitations of genetic testing.
Conclusion: The genetic counselling educational intervention significantly improved nurses' knowledge and self-reported skills in genetic assessment and counselling for breast cancer risk assessment. Strengthening genetics and genomics education among nurses may enhance breast cancer prevention, early detection, and evidence-based patient care.
Recommendation: Genetics and genomics education should be integrated into undergraduate nursing curricula, continuing professional development programmes, and institutional in-service training to improve nurses' competence in genetic risk assessment and counselling for breast cancer prevention and early detection.