Willingness to Implement Narrative Communication Interventions: Mixed Methods Study Among Breast Cancer Patients and Survivors at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria

Purpose: Globally, black women experience poorer breast cancer outcomes suggesting the need for effective health promotion approaches to increase perceived susceptibility and improve screening practices. Although narrative communication by patients or survivors is increasingly considered an effective approach for better breast cancer outcomes, there is limited information on its use in Nigeria. This study assessed the perception, willingness and generalized self-efficacy of breast cancer patients and survivors at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, to implement narrative communication interventions.

Material and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study, and a mixed-method convergent parallel design was utilized for data collection. Written informed consent was obtained from each study participant for in-depth interviews and a semi-structured questionnaire. Five patients were recruited for in-depth interviews and a semi-structured questionnaire was used to obtain data from 102 patients. Data were analysed using thematic analysis for qualitative data, and descriptive and inferential statistics for quantitative data.

Results: The mean age of the respondents was 49.3 ± 10.2 years. There was a good perception (97.1%) towards narrative communication interventions. Ninety-eight percent were willing to implement narrative communication interventions and 79.4% had a high generalized self-efficacy. Respondents' educational attainment was significantly associated with the generalized self-efficacy to implement narrative communication intervention programs (P < .05). Most of the in-depth interview participants opined that a pre-diagnosis discussion with a breast cancer patient or survivor would have increased their perceived susceptibility and motivation to screen.

Conclusion: This study highlights the potential of breast cancer patients and survivors as breast health educators, sharing their lived experiences to empower and motivate women on prevention and screening. Findings could guide the design of population-level, breast cancer prevention and screening interventions.