Knowledge and Experience of Cancer Patients Receiving Chemotherapy in a Teaching Hospital in Nigeria

Abstract

Listen

Translate article

Background : Cancer, a non communicable disease is an important disease associated with severe suffering before eventual death of the patient. The incidence is rising world wide and over 60% of new cases have been estimated to occur in less developed part of the world. In Nigeria 70% patients present in late stage 3 and 4, at which palliative Radiotherapy and chemotherapy are the main stay of treatment. This study was conducted to find out the level of knowledge of our patents about chemotherapy and to assess self reported experience of chemotherapy. Method: Over a period of 10 months in 2011, 100 Consecutive cancer patient while receiving chemotherapy in the Radiotherapy clinic of the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, were interviewed, using a set of questionnaires. These questionnaires consisted of sections A, addressing demographic variables, section B: knowledge of chemotherapy and section C addressing issues concerning their experiences on side effects of chemotherapy. The data was analyzed using SPSS software version 16. Results: One hundred patients were interviewed in the study period. The highest frequency of patients are in the age group 50-59 years, with male/female ratio of approximately 1:3. Most of the patients had Kanofsky Performance Status (KPS) of 70-90%. The common malignancies among them were breast, cervix, and nasopharyngeal cancer. Thirty six of the patients had Anthracycline based chemotherapy while 64 had non -Anthracycline. 88% of the patients complied with treatment and completed prescribed 6 courses. A good number of participants (98%) had prior information about chemotherapy and possible side effects. 95% of these patients expressed satisfaction with the chemotherapy treatment received and coped with the side effects because they were well prepared, though the process was tedious. Conclusion : The high level of knowledge and satisfaction among the patients may be attributed to the influence of the psycho-oncology clinic where these patients are counseled before commencement of treatment in the department. It is an avenue where most of their concerns are addressed.