Nutritional knowledge and needs of caregivers of patients with gastric cancer

Abstract

Objective To investigate and analyze the nutritional knowledge needs and cognitive level of the main family caregivers of patients with gastric cancer. Methods A total of 208 patients who underwent radical resection of gastric cancer and received complete chemotherapy at the Department of gastrointestinal surgery from September 2015 to February 2017 were selected.Each patient selected 1 family caregivers.A questionnaire survey was conducted among 208 family caregivers, including general information, nutritional knowledge needs questionnaire, nutrition knowledge, attitude and practice and so on. Results The total score of nutrition knowledge, attitude and practice among the family caregivers of patients with gastric cancer was (41.11±9.33) points. The score of nutrition knowledge was (6.26±1.87)points. The score of nutrition attitude was (15.45±4.75) points.The score of nutrition practice was (17.47±4.45) points.There was a significant positive correlation between nutrition knowledge and attitude(r=0.88,P<0.05), knowledge and practice (r=0.766, P<0.01), attitude and practice (r=0.186, P<0.01) by using Pearson correlation.Family caregivers had a strong demand for nutrition knowledge. 37.5%(78/208) of family caregivers chose to cooperate with doctors and nurses to carry out nutrition knowledge. 51.4%(107/208) of family caregivers preferred bedside individualized guidance. Conclusions Family caregivers have a strong demand for nutrition knowledge,but the nutrition cognition level is poor. Health care providers should strengthen the education on patients and family caregivers' knowledge of nutrition, improve the nutrition knowledge level of caregivers and care ability. Key words: Stomach neoplasms; Family caregiver; Nutritional knowledge needs; Nutrition knowledge, attitude and practice