Experiences of patients undergoing chemotherapy - a qualitative study of adults attending Uganda Cancer Institute
Cobertura |
Origin of publication: Uganda |
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Data(s) |
16/10/2016
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Resumo |
Background: Cancer is a global public health challenge and how patients in countries with poor healthcare infrastructure experience cancer treatment is largely unknown. Purpose: The objective of this study was to describe adult Ugandan cancer patients’ experiences of undergoing chemotherapy treatment. Methodology: Using a qualitative descriptive design, seven in-patients with varying cancer diagnoses at the Uganda Cancer Institute were interviewed about their experiences of undergoing chemotherapy treatment; the interviews were transcribed and analysed thematically. Results: The analysis resulted in nine subthemes, which were categorized under three main themes: ‘experiences related to the body’, with the subthemes dry and sensitive skin, changes in eating and bowel habits, fever and feelings of abnormal body sensation; ‘thoughts and feelings’, with four subthemes reflecting the psychosocial impact of chemotherapy; and ‘actively dealing with discomfort’, with three subthemes describing how patients dealt with side effects, such as by sticking to a diet. Conclusion: Receiving chemotherapy treatment is difficult, and the side effects negatively influenced patients’ bodies and moods. Dealing actively with discomfort and accepting negative impacts in hope of a cure helped the participants manage the acute complications related to the treatment. We recommend the development of interventions to ease discomfort due to chemotherapy. |
Formato |
html |
Identificador | |
Idioma(s) |
en |
Publicador |
Makerere University Medical School |
Relação |
http://www.bioline.org.br/hs |
Direitos |
Copyright 2016 - African Health Sciences |
Fonte |
African Health Sciences (ISSN: 1680-6905) Vol 16 Num 3 |
Palavras-Chave | #Cancer; chemotherapy; experiences; nursing; qualitative |
Tipo |
ST |