Education Based on Theory of Planned Behavior over Sexual Function of Women with Breast Cancer in Iran

OBJECTIVE: Sexual function in patients with breast cancer, especially in younger patients, is an important issue from clinical and psychosocial perspectives. Theory of planned behavior (TPB) is one of the important theories that explain the main process of adopting healthy behaviors. This study investigated the effect of education based on TPB on sexual function of women with breast cancer in Mashhad, Iran. METHODS: In this quasi-experimental study, 120 women (60 women in education group, 60 women in control group) visiting Razavi Hospital of Mashhad city were studied, selected by using the random method in 2016. The data collection tool was a questionnaire which was completed during the interview. The validity and reliability of this questionnaire were determined through the face and content validity and through Cronbach's alpha and test-retest, respectively. RESULTS: Data were analyzed using statistical SPSS 22 software. Using linear regression analysis, it was determined that attitudes, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control (PBC) predict 0.85 overall of the total variance of sexual function intention, which among these variables, the effect of the subjective norm was more than the other ones (P < 0.05). After educational intervention, the average rates of knowledge, attitude, PBC, and intention of sexual function in sex education group were significantly increased (P < 0.05); these changes were not meaningful in the control group. There was no statistically significant difference in subjective norm between the two groups after intervention. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this research suggest that TPB can be used in sex education interventions and have relevant results.