Effect of Mobile Based Educational Program on Self-Efficacy and Psychological Distress Among Female Geriatric Patients With Breast Cancer Undergoing Chemotherapy

Abstract

Breast cancer diagnosis and its treatment act as a life-threatening negative stressor seriously affecting the physical and psychological wellbeing of the female geriatric patients. Aim of the study: To determine the effect of mobile based educational program through WhatsApp on self-efficacy and psychological distress among female geriatric patients with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy. Setting: The study was conducted in the chemotherapy outpatient clinics of Damanhour Oncology Institute in El-Behaira Governorate, Subjects: A convenience sample of sixty female geriatric patients with breast cancer . Design: The study followed a quasi-experimental research design. Tools: Four tools were used for data collection: 1)Socio-demographic and Clinical Data Structured Interview Schedule, 2)Cancer Treatment Survey ,3)The Side effects-Management Self-Efficacy Scale-Breast Cancer Related to Chemotherapy Questionnaire, and 4) National Comprehensive Cancer Network Distress Thermometer Results: After the interventions, the mean scores of self-efficacy were increased from (27.07 ± 34.89) to (172.47 ± 64.05). As well, psychological distress mean scores were reduced from (6.600 ± 2.343) to (1.370 ± 1.752) with a statistically significant difference between pre and post interventions in the study group (P= 0.000).A statistically significant differences were found between the study and control groups post interventions regarding side effect management self-efficacy and psychological distr…