NUTRITIONAL STATUS AND INFORMATION NEEDS AMONG PATIENTS RECEIVING CHEMOTHERAPY AND RADIOTHERAPY

Ibrahim, Reham; Taha, Nadia; Mohamed, Rasha

doi:10.21608/mnj.2017.149636

NUTRITIONAL STATUS AND INFORMATION NEEDS AMONG PATIENTS RECEIVING CHEMOTHERAPY AND RADIOTHERAPY

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Technical Nursing Institute- Benha University

² Medical Surgical Nursing, Faculty of nursing, Zagaziag University

³ Medical Surgical Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Benha University

10.21608/mnj.2017.149636

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Malnutrition is a frequent complication in patients with cancer and can negatively affect the outcome of treatments. On the other hand, side effects of anticancer therapies can also lead to inadequate nutrient intake and subsequent malnutrition. AIM: The present study aimed to assess nutritional status and information needs among patients receiving chemotherapy and radiotherapy. DESIGN: descriptive design. SETTING: This study was conducted in medical department (oncology department and blood diseases) at Benha University Hospital and concerning Zagazig University Hospital at Dar El Salam University Hospital. SAMPLE: A convenient sample of 150 patients. TOOLS: The tools of data collection were: Self-Administered questionnaire to assess patients demographic characteristics and nutritional status to patients receiving chemotherapy and radiotherapy . An interview questionnaire to assess Patients' information needs regarding to receive chemotherapy and radiotherapy . RESULTS: The present study showed that, Most of studied patients were complained of nausea Majority of studied patients were complained of body pain and fatigue. The majority of studied patients were suffered from taste of food changes and had nutritional changes. 48.7% of studied patients had total satisfactory information needs. While a highly statistical significant between total level of patients knowledge and their demographic characteristics at( gender, age and kind of treatment) with P value ( P ≤0.01). CONCLUSION : The present study showed that , all studied patients complained of health and nutritional problems. More than half of studied patients had unsatisfactory level of knowledge regarding informational needs regarding patients who are receiving chemotherapy and radiotherapy. RECOMMENDATION: The patients need to health program about content of food which should eating during treatment and know important of protein , calories and fluids during treatment. The patients need health program about how did deal with complication of treatment.

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