The Correlation of Socio Demographic and Knowledge Factors Toward Therapy Options among Breast Cancer Patients

Abstract

The high prevalence and incidence of breast cancer patients poses a threat to the life quality of Indonesian women. Beside the patient’s condition, therapy options are also a factor faced by both the patients and their families. This research aims at describing socio demographic and knowledge factors relating to therapy options of breast cancer patients. Cross-sectional research was conducted directly to the people (community-based and hospital-based) from 198 cancer patients in the main region, West Java Province. Data was collected through face-to-face interviews with patients, with or without their family. The data was analyzed using statistical software to yield a correlation between socio demographic and knowledge factors on therapy options. The findings of this research shows that there is a significant relation between socio demographic factor (physical condition (p=0.002), emotional condition (p=0.000), patient’s age (p=0.000), marital status (p=0.000), family status (p=0.000), faith (p=0.032), and income (p=0.026)) and the knowledge factor (knowledge about illness (p=0.045), the cause of breast cancer (p=0.000), indications and early symptoms of breast cancer (p=0.014), indications and symptoms during breast cancer therapy (p=0.000), therapy for breast cancer (p=0.000), and treatment on indications and symptoms (p=0.000)) with therapy options. Therapy options can be impacted by socio demographic and knowledge factors, although considerations from family also play a key role. In this context, the nurse plays the role as an advocate to raise awareness on the importance of treatment to healthcare facilities, thus the people can make a well-informed choice on their therapy. The uniqueness of the research showed the characteristic of patients, and therapies option in the multi medical system in Indonesia.