The effects of co-worker-delivered prompts on breast self-examination frequency

In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of co-worker-delivered reminders to perform breast self-examination (BSE). Before participating in a BSE training workshop, subjects (n = 36) were randomly assigned in pairs (of co-workers who registered together) to one of two experimental conditions: contract or control. Subjects in the contract condition, after discussing specific prompting strategies as part of a "buddy system" in their workshop, contracted to prompt their designated peers at least once a month for six months following the workshop. In addition, subjects in both conditions received mailed prompts monthly. We assessed BSE adherence and prompting behaviors in retrospective interviews. Results indicated that subjects in both conditions significantly increased BSE frequency above pre-workshop levels. However, the magnitude of this increase did not differ between conditions. A process evaluation indicated that the control group pairs were similar to the contract group pairs in their prompting behavior.