Objective To explore the self-care ability and influencing factors of breast cancer patients during implantable intravenous infusion port indwelling.

Methods A total of 134 breast cancer patients were selected as study subjects, and investiagated using self-made the general information questionnaires, self-care ability scale (ESCA) and social support rating scale (SSRS).

Results Univariate analysis showed that the higher the patient's educational level and family income, the higher the ESCA score; living in urban areas had a higher ESCA score than in rural and township areas; the types of medical insurance were resident medical insurance and employee medical insurance, with ESCA scores higher than self-funded and new rural cooperative medical insurance; medical insurance was higher than employee medical insurance, and the ESCA score of patients with spouses was higher than that of patients without spouses, with statistical significance(P < 0.05 to P < 0.01). Multiple linear regression analysis found that high education level, spouse, and high family income with high social support scores were protective factors for patients' self-care ability(P < 0.05 to P < 0.01). Patients living in towns or urban areas had higher self-care ability levels than those living in rural areas, and patients with medical insurance had higher self-care ability levels than those who paid for medical insurance.

Conclusions In view of the factors influencing self-care ability during implantable intravenous infusion port indwelling of patients with breast cancer, a comprehensive social support system can be established to help patients improve their self-care ability.