Perception of Side Effects of Chemotherapy among Cancer Patients in B.P. Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital Bharatpur, Nepal

Abstract

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Background & Objectives: These side effects of chemotherapy affect the patients’ daily life and quality of life adversely. It affects the different body system resulting in physical and non physical (psychosocial) side effects. Cancer patients demand information to understand chemotherapy-related adverse effects and actions to be taken. The aim of the study is to find out the perception of side effects of chemotherapy among cancer patients.

Materials and methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 200 cancer patients, using purposive sampling technique and data was collected via face to face interview. Descriptive as well as inferential statistics (T-test) was used to see the significant difference between dependent and independent variables.

Results: The overall perceived side effects of chemotherapy include: affects work and home duties (non physical side effect), followed by anxiety, loss of appetite, affects family, affect partner, feel constantly tired (fatigue), affects social activities, feel irritable, nausea and constipation respectively. There is significant difference between perception of side effects of chemotherapy and gender of respondents.

Conclusion: The perceptions of side effects of chemotherapy are different from individual to individual. Patient’s perception of side effects of chemotherapy is concerned with non physical side effects rather than physical side effects.

Journal of College of Medical Sciences-Nepal, Vol.11(4) 2015: 14-19