Assessment of knowledge, attitudes and practices on chemotherapy among oncology patients

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Oncology patients are highly susceptible to untoward effects of chemotherapy. Their knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) on chemotherapy are effective determinant of their treatment. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to assess the KAP regarding chemotherapy medications among oncology patients. S171 METHODS: A total of 311 oncology patients undergoing chemotherapy were randomly recruited from a medical oncology ward in a tertiary care hospital in Sri Lanka. The admission register was used as the sampling frame. Data were collected using a translated version of a standard questionnaire developed by Yan Wang et al. It included questions related to patients’ KAP on chemotherapy medications. The collected data were descriptively analysed. RESULTS: Among participants 68.8% had an average knowledge of their chemotherapy medications, 62.1% had a positive attitude, and 31.2% had reported an average score for good practices. Age, education level and type of cancer significantly influenced the KAP of oncology patients on chemotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: Among participants 68.8% had an average knowledge of their chemotherapy medications, 62.1% had a positive attitude, and 31.2% had reported an average score for good practices. Age, education level and type of cancer significantly influenced the KAP of oncology patients on chemotherapy.