Perception of Self-esteem and Body Image among Women with Breast Cancer of a University Hospital in Tunisia
Hela Ghali *
Department of Hospital Hygiene, University Hospital Farhat Hached, Sousse, Tunisia.
Sirine Fendri
Superior Institute of Nursing, Sousse, Tunisia.
Ines Ayedi
Department of Oncology, CHU Habib Bourguiba, Sfax, Tunisia.
Iheb Bougmiza
Department of Preventive and Community Medicine, University of Medecine of Sousse, Tunisia.
Asma Ammar
Department of Hospital Hygiene, University Hospital Farhat Hached, Sousse, Tunisia.
Imtinene Belaid
Department of Oncology, University Hospital Farhat Hached, Sousse, Tunisia.
Njah Mansour
Department of Hospital Hygiene, University Hospital Farhat Hached, Sousse, Tunisia.
Nabiha Bouafia
Department of Hospital Hygiene, University Hospital Farhat Hached, Sousse, Tunisia.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: Breast cancer is a major public health problem. It represents the first female cancer which creates physical, psychological and social disorders.
Objectives: This study aimed to describe the perception of the self-esteem and the body image of women reached by breast cancer in the hospital of Habib Bourguiba of Sfax – Tunisia during three months.
Methods: It is a cross-sectional observational study. Two measure scales of beforehand designed and validated were administered to 125 patients treated for breast cancer: a scale estimating the body image according to Hopwood and a scale estimating the self-esteem according to Rosenberg.
Results: 79% of the investigated women had weak self-esteem and 62% had a distress of the body image. Our study also showed that there is a statistically significant correlation between the perception of the body image and the self-esteem. The presence of history of psychiatric pathologies (P=0,007) and alopecia (p=0,006) are statistically correlated to a body image distress. Civil status (p=0,025) and alopecia (p=0,014) statistically impacted the perception of self-esteem.
Conclusion: In order to improve the quality of life of women with breast cancer, healthcare professionals should take into consideration the psychological effect of the consequences of this disease.
Keywords: Breast cancer, self-esteem, body-image, women