Background: Self-management following surgical treatment of breast cancer is an effective way to
promote optimal coping and improve health through the participation of patients and their families
in the decision making, acquiring knowledge and skills that help them in dealing with their illness.
Aim: The aim of our research was to evaluate the efficacy of drainage self-care management on
mastectomy patients' outcomes. Design: A quasi-experimental research design was used. Sitting:
The study was carried out at the general surgical department in emergency Hospital of Menoufia
University Hospital at Shebin El-Kom District, Menoufifia Governorate, Egypt. Sample: the sample
size was one hundred and fifty breast cancer patients that were assigned alternatively and randomly
into 2 equal groups a study and a control group, each one consisted of seventy-five patients. Tools:
Five tools were used; Tool 1: An Interviewing Questionnaire sheet. Tool II: Patient's knowledge,
Tool III: observational checklist. Tool IV: The Cancer Behavioral Inventory-Brief (CBI-B). Tool V:
drainage complications assessment. Results: There was a highly statistically significant increase in
knowledge and self-efficacy scores, practice level, and decrease in the occurrence of drain
complications of a study group than a control group. Conclusions: Self-management of drainage
care is one of the key concepts for increasing patient's knowledge, practice, and self-efficacy that
help for reducing drain complications. Recommendation: self-management of drainage care after
mastectomy should be taken into account when providing nursing care to increase patient's self
efficacy and improve outcomes through enhancing patient's knowledge, practice, and role
management.