Feasibility of the effectiveness of a psychoeducational intervention on the physical and psychosexual functioning of women being treated for cervical cancer in a tertiary hospital in Southwest, Nigeria: a quasi-experimental study
摘要
Cervical cancer is a global public health concern with significant morbidity and mortality even with advancement in treatment strategies. While efforts have been directed primarily to prevention and elimination, there is need to improve the health indices of those who have already been diagnosed. This study was designed to assess the feasibility of the effectiveness of a psycho-educational intervention on the physical and psychosexual functioning as well as health-related quality of life of women with cervical cancer.
MethodsA quasi-experimental single group pre- and post-test design was used to assess the effectiveness of a single-module psychoeducational intervention developed by the researcher through a guide developed for the design of psychoeducational interventions for women with gynaecological cancers. This was carried out among twenty (20) women (> 18years) attending the radiation and clinical oncology unit of Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta, Nigeria. Women’s functioning levels were assessed using two (2) standardized tools at baseline and four (4) weeks after the intervention. Data was analyzed with SPSS version 26 and hypotheses were tested using Wilcoxon Signed Rank test at a significance level of ≥ 0.05.
Result60% were between 46 to 56years with a mean age of 51.7 ± 7.6; 70% were Yoruba, 45% were married and a higher percentage (35%) were traders. None of the respondents was ever vaccinated against Human Papilloma Virus and were on chemotherapy. Only 45% had partner support and 5 to 6 children with majority (55%) being post-menopausal. The intervention showed evidence of clinical relevance for all domains but did not yield a statistical significance for the physical (d=-0.016, p=0.954), psychological (d=-0.015, p=0.678) and sexual functioning (d=-0.098, p=0.678). However, HRQoL was significant (d=-0.702, p=0.011). Pain and partner support were the most significant socio-economic predictors of quality of life.
ConclusionsPsychoeducational intervention can help improve the physical and psychosexual domains of functioning as well as the health-related quality of life of women with cervical carcinoma.