Necessary Information of Afghan Immigrant Women with Breast Cancer in Iran in the Field of Health and Sanitary and the Way to Access it

Abstract

Introduction: This study was aimed to identify the sanitary and health-oriented and information needs of Afghan immigrant women with breast cancer who are being treated and coping with their disease in health centers and hospitals in Iran. Method: The present study is a survey and applied in terms of purpose. The study population consisted of 72 Afghan immigrant female patients with breast cancer. A researcher-made questionnaire was used to collect information divided into 6 sections and had 65 questions. Kruskal-Wallis,Mann-Whitney U tests, and SPSS statistical software version 20 were used to analyze the data. Findings: The results showed no significant difference between the health information needs of immigrants based on age, marital status, literacy rate, occupation, treatment stage, manner and place of residence, and other demographic characteristics. “Achieving a healthy life” has been identified as the most critical information need (with a mean of 4.14), and “lack of familiarity with traditional sources related to sanitary and health” has been identified as the most crucial barrier (with a mean of 3.99) in accessing sanitary and health information. Conclusion: Paying attention to the information needs of cancer patients, especially immigrants and refugees with cultural differences and many social gaps with the host community (Iran), seems inevitable. As a result of being aware of the health information needs of these people in different stages of treatment and providing appropriate information by health professionals, informants, doctors, nurses, and medical staff, the situation will provide for better and more effective treatment of these patients in addition to reducing mental anxiety and psychological security in patients.