Effect of Instructional Guidelines on Knowledge, Practices, and Self-esteem regarding External Breast Prosthesis among Post Mastectomy Women

Abstract

Women who have had a mastectomy for breast cancer deal with two significant issues: the fact that they have cancer and the loss of their physical attractiveness. Following a mastectomy, an appropriate breast prosthesis can help to improve body image and quality of life while also reducing emotional stress. Aim: To evaluate the effect of instructional guidelines on knowledge, practices, and self-esteem regarding external breast prosthesis (EBP) among post-mastectomy women. Subjects and method: Design: A quasi-experimental research design was utilized to attain the study's goal. Setting: the study was conducted in Fayoum Oncology Center's Inpatient and Outpatient clinics Fayoum Governate/ Egypt. Subjects: A total of 100 post-mastectomy women were selected from previous settings based on convenient sampling. Four tools were used: Tool (I) women' structured interviewing questionnaire, it included two parts: (a) demographic characteristics of post-mastectomy women; (b) post-mastectomy women ' medical data, Tool (II) post-mastectomy women ' knowledge regarding external breast prosthesis, Tool (III) post-mastectomy women ' practice regarding external breast prosthesis (pre/post), and Tool (IV) self-esteem scale (pre/post). Results: The study's findings demonstrated that there was a statistically significant improvement in post-intervention knowledge, practice, and self-esteem than pre-intervention among postmastectomy women. Conclusion: The results of the study concluded that the instructional guidelines were effective in improving knowledge, practice, and self-esteem regarding external breast prosthesis among post-mastectomy women. Recommendations: It recommended raising awareness of the post-mastectomy women about external breast prosthesis during follow-up by incorporating this information in their care and follow-up.