title: The effect of low literacy on the self-care behaviors of men receiving radiation therapy.
abstract: Using Orem's theory as the framework, two purposes guided the study: (a) to test the effectiveness of an audio-visual education program and behavioral contracting to promote self-care behaviors in managing radiation side effects and (b) to determine the extent to which low literacy affects self-care abilities. Seventy men diagnosed with prostate cancer participated in this experimental study. The nursing interventions of education and behavioral contracting significantly increased the self-care behaviors of men in managing radiation side effects. An increase in self-care behaviors was especially shown in men with low-literacy skills.
authors.affiliation: Wayne State University, USA.
authors.forename: Feleta L
authors.initials: FL
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: Darlene
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mood
authors.forename: Cheryl K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Nordstrom
authors.forename: Joanne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Risk
mesh_terms: D004522:Educational Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D012648:Self Care