Conectar
by Awole Seid, Zelalem Debebe, Abebe Ayelign, Bilal Shikur Endris, Mathewos Assefa, Ahmedin Jemal
BackgroundNutrition impact symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and taste alterations are common side effects of chemotherapy and can lead to malnutrition. There is a paucity of data regarding the nutritional challenges faced by cancer patients, particularly in resource-limited settings. This study aimed to explore the lived experiences of nutrition impact symptoms among patients undergoing chemotherapy at a major cancer center in Ethiopia.
MethodsAn interpretative phenomenological analysis was conducted from November 11–29, 2024, involving 26 cancer patients treated at the Oncology Center of Tikur Anbesa Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Both data and thematic saturation were employed to determine the sample size. Participants were selected using heterogeneous sampling, and data were collected through in-depth interviews. The interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim in Amharic, followed by a contextual translation into English. The data were analyzed using an inductive thematic analysis approach with the aid of MAXQDA24 software.
ResultsThree themes were identified: symptom burden and coping, individualized food choices, and unmet nutritional support needs. Symptoms were particularly severe during the early stages of treatment, disrupting typical dietary patterns and leading to physical limitations, negative emotional responses, and decreased productivity. The finding also revealed financial barriers to accessing nutritious foods, nutritional misinformation, and unsatisfactory experiences with hospital food.
ConclusionSymptoms vary in onset, severity, and pattern among individuals, significantly impacting their quality of life. Nutritional support is a pressing need for cancer patients. The findings underscore the critical need for dietitian-led, patient-centered nutritional interventions, along with socioeconomic support for patients undergoing chemotherapy in Ethiopia.
This study aimed to assess high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) infection (HPV 16/18) and its determinants among women in East Gojjam Zone, Northwest Ethiopia.
An institutional-based cross-sectional study.
The study was conducted among 337 women screened for cervical cancer in two hospitals in East Gojjam Zone from February to April 2021 gregoriean calander.
The prevalence of HPV infection was 14.2% (95% CI: 10.7% to 18.1%). The mean age of the respondents was 36.7±9.1 years. Women in the age group of 55–65 years (adjusted OR (AOR)=7.91, 95% CI: 1.95 to 32.09), early initiation of sexual intercourse (AOR=5.36, 95% CI: 1.58 to 18.13), history of sexually transmitted infection (STI) (AOR=3.52, 95% CI: 1.27 to 9.72), HIV positive status (AOR=6.8, 95% CI: 1.99 to 23.54) and number of lifetime sexual partners (AOR=4.37, 95% CI: 1.15 to 17.3) were important independent factors associated with the presence of oncogenic HPV infection.
We found a relatively low prevalence of high-risk HPV infection. Age, early initiation of sexual intercourse at less than 18 years, history of STI, being HIV seropositive and multiple sexual partners were important factors for high-risk HPV infection. Women aged >46 years, women with early initiation of sex, a history of STI, being HIV positive and a history of multiple sexual partners should be encouraged to be screened and vaccinated for HPV infection. Wider-ranging studies are also needed in HPV-infected women in association with the cervical lesion.
FreshRSS 