Application of health education based on the integrated theory of health behavior change in the pelvic floor rehabilitation of patients with cervical cancer after radical surgery

Abstract

To analyze the effect of applying health education based on the integrated theory of health behavior change in the pelvic floor rehabilitation of patients with cervical cancer after radical surgery. We recruited 130 patients with cervical cancer who underwent gynecological surgery in our hospital between the 01 February 2021 and the 01 March 2022. According to the random number table method, the patients were divided into a control group and an observation group (65 cases per group). The control group received routine health education, while the observation group received health education based on the integrated theory of health behavior change. We compared the two groups with regards to pelvic floor function, quality-of-life, and psychological status before and after intervention by analyzing PFDI-20 (Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory Questionnaire-20), PFIQ-7 (Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire-7), HAMA (Hamilton Anxiety Scale) and HAMD (Hamilton Depression Scale) questionnaires, treatment compliance and nursing satisfaction. After intervention, the PFDI-20 scores and total scores of patients in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (p < 0.05). The PFIQ-7 scores and total scores of patients in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (p < 0.05). The HAMA and HAMD scores in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group (p < 0.05). The treatment compliance and nursing satisfaction rate of patients in the observation group were higher than those in the control group (p < 0.05). Health education based on the integrated theory of health behavior change can improve pelvic floor muscle strength, the quality-of-life, and the treatment compliance of patients after radical surgery for cervical cancer. In addition, this strategy can alleviate anxiety and depression, and improve nursing satisfaction and is worthy of wider clinical application.