Avaliação da adesão ao autocuidado em mulheres submetidas à braquiterapia ginecológica

Abstract

Objective: to evaluate the adherence of women with cervical cancer to self-care guidelines related to brachytherapy. Method: Longitudinal study, performed in an outpatient radiotherapy clinic in the center-west region, with women with cervical cancer submitted to brachytherapy. Participants answered the questionnaire on adherence to self-care guidelines during treatment. Results: Thirty women between 22 and 76 years of age participated in the study. Of the 12 guidelines, patients reported good adherenceto six (50%), moderate adherence to four (33%), and low adherence to two (17%). Only seven (23%) patients adhered to the use of post-brachytherapy vaginal dilators for prevention of vaginal stenosis. On average, the patients adhered to nine of the twelve guidelines received. Conclusion: The patients showed good and moderate adherence to most of the orientations provided. Educational interventions should be implemented to improve visual communication and consequently improve adherence to self-care guidelines in brachytherapy.