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

Background 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 health-related quality of life of women with cervical cancer. Methods A quasi-experimental single group pre- and post-test design was used to test 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 among twenty (20) women (> 18years) attending the radiation and clinical oncology unit of Federal Medical centre, Abeokuta, Nigeria. Women’s Health Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) was 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 one-sample t-test at a significance level of ≥ 0.05. Result 60% 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. All women were never 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. There was no statistical difference between pre and post physical (0.733) and psychological functioning (0.56) but there was statistical difference between pre and post sexual functioning (p = 0.00) and quality of life (0.00). Pain and partner support were the most significant socio-economic predictors of quality of life. Conclusions Cervical cancer significantly influences women’s health related quality of life and psychoeducational intervention can help reduce treatment side effects and improve quality of life.