Nuclear Medicine & Radiation Therapy

Quasi Experimental Non Randomized Study on Effectiveness of Instructional Strategy on Knowledge, Practice and Quality of Life of Head and Neck Cancer Patients Receiving Radiotherapy in Selected Cancer Research Institute, Uttarakhand

Abstract

Kaveta Nigam and Kamli Prakash

The cancer is a disease of cell in which the normal mechanism of the control of growth and proliferation has been altered. Annually, nearly 3 million people die of cancer in India. The Indian Council of Medical Research said in 2016 the total number of new cancer cases is expected to be around 1.45 million and the figure is likely to reach nearly 1.73 million new cases in 2020. Over 0.736 million people are expected to succumb to the disease in 2016 while the figure is estimated to shoot up to 0.88 million by 2020. Data also revealed that only 12.5 percent of patients come for treatment in early stages of the disease. Purpose: The Purpose was to educate the patients with Head and Neck Cancer undergoing radiation therapy about management of side effects to improve their quality of life. Method: A Quantitative research approach with Quasi-experimental pre-test post-test design. The study was conducted in selected Cancer Research Institute, Dehradun, Uttarakhand. Consecutive sampling technique was used for data collection from 60 Head and neck cancer patients by using Structured Knowledge interview schedule, structured self-reported practice checklist and EORTCH & N35 QLQ. Result: The mean post-test knowledge score in experimental group was 18.70 ± 3.06 which was significantly higher than the control group 11.50 ± 5.00. The mean post-test practice score in experimental group was 16.40 ± 1.86 which was significantly higher than the control group 10.00 ± 3.01. There was significant improvement in the Quality of Life of the patients in experimental group in different phases of radiation therapy. In multiple item scales- Pain (0.014 on 8th day and <0.001 on 16th day), swallowing (<0.001 on 16th day), sense problems (0.019 on 8th day and 0.020 on 16th day), speech problem (0.058 on 8th day and 0.041 on 16th day), social contact (0.005). In single item scale teeth (0.019 on 8th day), opening mouth (<0.001 on 16th day), dry mouth (<0.001 on 16th day), sticky saliva (0.040 on 8th day and <0.001 on 16th day), felt ill (0.017 on 16th day). Moderately positive correlation was found between post-test knowledge & practice score. Conclusion: The instructional strategy was effective in increasing knowledge, practice of Head and Neck cancer patients and also improving their Quality of life.