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Fertility knowledge and associated empowerment following an educational intervention for adolescent cancer patients
Author(s) -
BorgmannStaudt Anja,
Kunstreich Marina,
Schilling Ralph,
Balcerek Magdalena,
Dirksen Uta,
Cario Holger,
Kepakova Katerina,
KlcoBrosius Stephanie,
Korte Elisabeth,
Kruseova Jarmila,
Lackner Herwig,
Langer Thorsten,
Roslan KatarzynaMuszynska,
Stefanowicz Joanna,
Strauß Gabriele,
Byrne Julianne
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
psycho‐oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.41
H-Index - 137
eISSN - 1099-1611
pISSN - 1057-9249
DOI - 10.1002/pon.5210
Subject(s) - fertility , intervention (counseling) , empowerment , medicine , family medicine , fertility preservation , demography , nursing , population , environmental health , sociology , political science , law
/Objectives Fertility preservation is a major concern for adolescent cancer patients; yet, educational gaps remain. Our intervention study examined whether specially designed educational materials regarding fertility preservation increase knowledge and empowerment of patients and parents. Methods Eleven paediatric‐oncological centres in four European countries agreed to enrol all eligible patients and parents in a questionnaire survey at 3 and 6 months after diagnosis. Treating physicians were surveyed on their medical consultation regarding fertility. Results Educational intervention increased knowledge in both patients (n = 113 and n = 101 in the control and intervention groups, respectively) and parents (n = 111 and n = 99 in the control and intervention groups, respectively), but the difference did not achieve statistical significance (knowledge difference patients: 5.6% (t0)/13.1% (t1); parents: 6.4% (t0)/3.8% (t1)). Parents of older patients (OR = 1.3, 95%CI = 1.1‐1.7) and higher educational groups (OR = 6.2, 95%CI = 2.1‐18.3) in the intervention group (OR = 1.9, 95%CI = 1.03‐3.7) achieved higher knowledge levels. Empowerment was significantly improved in both patients ( p = 0.046, d = 0.27) and parents ( p = 0.046, d = 0.48) in the intervention group. Discussion/Conclusions In our study, the use of specifically prepared flyers and brochures successfully raised the level of fertility preservation knowledge in parents of older patients as well as parents with higher educational levels. Overall, the intervention improved patient and parent empowerment. Subsequent projects will include simpler information and digital material to particularly reach out to younger and less educated individuals.