Canadian Oncology Nursing Journal最新文献

Background: Breast cancer is the most frequently occurring cancer in women and is a global health problem. Yet, it can be a manageable disease with early diagnosis and sufficient treatment protocols, such as advanced surgical intervention, chemotherapy, and radiation therapies. Breast self-examination (BSE) is a screening technique that involves examining one's breasts for lumps, distortions, or swelling, and contributes to early diagnosis of the disease.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the practice of BSE and associated factors among female healthcare workers in Saint Paul's Hospital Millennium Medical College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2022.

Methods: An institution-based cross-sectional study was carried out at St. Paul's Hospital Millennium Medical College. A stratified and systematic random sampling technique was utilized to obtain respondents for the study. The data for this study were collected by professional nurses using a structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS (version 20) software. Logistic regression analysis was utilized to assess relevant factors. Predictors with a p-value of < 0.05 were considered as statistically significant.

Results: Four hundred respondents participated giving a 100% response rate. The median age of study participants was 28 years, with an inter-quartile range of six years. About two-thirds (63.8%) of the study participants had good knowledge about BSE, 46.3% had a positive attitude toward BSE, and 76.25% reported they practised BSE. Significant associations were observed with the practice of BSE and the factors of age, monthly income, and knowledge about BSE. Compared to participants 40 years and above, participants between 25-29 years [AOR=0.10; 95%CI: 0.01, 0.88] and 35-39 years [AOR=0.09; 95%CI: 0.01, 0.92] were less likely to practise BSE; those with monthly income less than 5250 ETB [AOR=0.19; 95%CI: 0.035, 0.996], and between 5251-7800 [AOR=0.16; 95%CI: 0.032, 0.78], and 7801-10900ETB [AOR=0.18; 95%CI: 0.04, 0.83] were less likely to practise BSE; and those with good knowledge about BSE [AOR=2.08; 95%CI: 1.23, 3.53] were more apt to practise BSE.

Conclusion: The study showed that about three-quarters of the health workers practised BSE. Statistically significant associations were observed between BSE and the factors of age in years, monthly income, and knowledge about BSE.

Background: Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a dose-dependent, nerve-damaging adverse reaction with reported prevalence rates of 68.1% at the first month after starting chemotherapy; 60.0 % at the third month; and 30% at the sixth month.

Purpose: To determine the effectiveness of an intervention (effleurage and petrissage) on severity of CIPN among patients receiving platinum-based chemotherapy.

Methods: Sixty patients receiving either a third or fourth cycle of platinum-based chemotherapy were randomly assigned to one of two groups with a pre- and post-test design. The interventional group received effleurage and petrissage prior to chemotherapy for a period of one month. Comparisons of CIPN levels among both groups were done at Day 7, 14, 21, and 1 month using the FACT/ GOG-Ntx subscale.

Results: Prior to intervention, the mean score (+SD) of CIPN in the intervention group was 17.17 (+4.907) and 17.10 (+ 4.421) in the control group (T = 0.055, P value 0.956). The post-test scores following intervention at 1 month, was a mean score (+SD) for CIPN in the intervention group of 10.70 (±2.855) and 16.27 (±3.039) in the control group (P value 0.000).

Conclusions: This pilot result supports that the intervention (effleurage and petrissage) can be effective in reducing CIPN severity levels among patients receiving platinum-based chemotherapy.