title: Evaluation of an educational handbook as a knowledge-acquisition strategy for mastectomized women.
abstract: This descriptive, cross-sectional and quantitative study presents an analysis of knowledge acquired by mastectomized women concerning breast cancer after reading an educational handbook. The sample was composed of 125 women. Data were collected in a specialized cancer facility in three phases: preparatory, operational I and operational II. As to the knowledge acquired, the posttest showed an 11% increase in the number of correct answers compared to the pretest. The most frequent correct answer regarded a question asking the name of the surgery (97.60%) while the question concerning breast reconstruction obtained the lowest number of correct answers (58.40%). Answers to all the questions significantly improved in the posttest, with the exception of a question addressing breast reconstruction (p=0.754). The assessment of knowledge showed positive results after reading, suggesting that cognition is essential to understanding and adhering to guidance, thus the handbook is a favorable resource to be used in the rehabilitation of mastectomized women.
authors.affiliation: Faculdade de Ensino e Cultura do Ceará, Brazil. marizaenfa@yahoo.com.br
authors.forename: Mariza Silva
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: de Oliveira
authors.forename: Míria Conceição Lavinas
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.forename: Paulo César
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: de Almeida
authors.forename: Marislei Sanches
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Panobianco
authors.forename: Ana Fátima Carvalho
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Fernandes
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008370:Manuals as Topic; D008408:Mastectomy; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D055815:Young Adult