Knowledge of Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy toward Self Care in Kirkuk Center for Oncology and Hematology

Abstract

Background: Cancer is a dangerous disease that may kill people. The vast majority of cancer patients get chemotherapy treatment. Several negative side effects of chemotherapy affect patients' physical, mental, and social well-being, which in turn affects their capacity to take care of themselves. Objectives: The main aim of the study is to determine the effectiveness of an instructional program on the knowledge of patients undergoing chemotherapy toward self-care. Methodology The current study used a one-group design and a quantitative pre-experimental methodology. First, baseline data was collected before the research sample was exposed to the educational program; second, data was collected immediately after the program was implemented for the research sample; and third, data was collected after the program had been implemented. From October 3, 2023, until May 5, 2024, researchers at the Kirkuk Center for Oncology and Hematology carried out the study. Patients' socio-demographic data (Part I), patients' clinical data (Part II), and patients' knowledge of self-care strategies (Part III) make up the research instrument. The research instrument's reliability was assessed using the internal consistency approach, and its validity was established by a panel of experts. Results: The study found statistically significant differences in three main areas of patients' self-care knowledge between the before and post-tests in the study group, with a p-value less than 0.05. Conclusion: According to the results of the research, chemotherapy patients' understanding was low before they started the program. Nonetheless, the educational program shown a remarkable ability to enhance patients' understanding of self-care practices throughout chemotherapy