Iimpact of a Community Nurse-Led Home-Based Cancer Survivorship Programme on Depression Among Cervical Cancer Survivors

Background: Cervical cancer remains one of the most common cancers among women in low- and middle-income countries, with survivors frequently experiencing persistent psychological challenges such as depression and anxiety that adversely affect quality of life. Nurse-led, home-based interventions have emerged as a promising approach to providing holistic, accessible, and continuous psychosocial support in community settings, particularly in underserved rural areas. Aim: This study evaluated the effectiveness of a Community Nurse-Led Home-Based Cancer Survivorship Programme in reducing depression among cervical cancer survivors. Methods: A quasi-experimental pretest–posttest control group design was employed in selected rural villages of Madurai district, Tamil Nadu, India. A total of 140 cervical cancer survivors were recruited through convenience sampling and allocated to experimental (n = 70) and control (n = 70) groups. Depression was assessed using Beck’s Depression Inventory (BDI). The experimental group received a structured four-week nurse-led survivorship programme, which included guided breathing exercises, individualized counseling, lifestyle education, and family-focused supportive messages. The control group received routine care. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, including independent and paired t-tests, Chi-square tests, and Pearson’s correlation. A significance level of p < 0.05 was applied. Results: At baseline, both groups were comparable in sociodemographic and clinical characteristics (p > 0.05). Following the intervention, the experimental group showed a statistically significant reduction in mean BDI scores from 35.92 ± 10.1 to 23.78 ± 8.7 (p < 0.001), indicating a clinically meaningful improvement. In contrast, the control group demonstrated no significant change (34.56 ± 9.4 to 33.43 ± 11.2; p > 0.05). Effect size calculations further confirmed the substantial impact of the intervention on depression reduction. Conclusion: The Community Nurse-Led Home-Based Cancer Survivorship Programme was effective in significantly reducing depression among cervical cancer survivors in rural communities. Integrating such evidence-based, nurse-led interventions into primary health care systems could enhance psychological well-being, promote recovery, and improve overall survivorship outcomes, especially in resource-limited settings.