The Impact of Educational Nursing Program on Quality of Sexual Life, Body Image, and Self-esteem among Women with Breast Cancer

Abstract

Background: Despite recent significant advances in the early diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer, it remains a severe threat to physical, psychological and social health of women and the femininity. Objectives: To investigate the impact of educational nursing programs on the quality of sexual life, body image, and self-esteem among women with breast cancer. Methods: A quasi-experimental research design (one group only) was utilised in this study. The study was conducted at the oncology outpatient clinic at General Teaching Hospital Organization (El-Galaa Hospital). A purposive sample of forty women with breast cancer were chosen. Four tools were used: 1) structured interviewing questionnaire, 2) the Hopwood Body Image Scale, 3) the Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale, and 4) the Modified WHO Quality of Sexual Life Scale. Results: A positive and statistically significant correlation between the quality of sexual life, body image, and self-esteem pre and post the implementation of the educational program. Conclusion: The study findings concluded that the educational program intervention positively influenced the quality of sexual life, body image, and self-esteem in women with breast cancer. Recommendation: Counseling intervention program for women with breast cancer to improve coping mechanisms, body image, self-esteem, and sexual life quality was suggested.