Effectiveness of Structured Teaching Program on Knowledge Regarding Side Effects of Chemotherapy and Its Home Management among Cancer Patients Receiving Chemotherapy in Selected Regional Cancer Hospital Shimla at Himachal Pradesh, India

Introduction: Cancer is a multi-factorial disease in which cellular reproduction process goes out of control. Chemotherapy is a widely used treatment for cancer in which cytotoxic drugs or anti-neoplastic drugs are used to kill or shrink fast-growing cells in the body, but it also result in various side effects which depend on the type of drug, dosage, frequency and its duration of administration. Several home remedies are also used to overcome these side effects. Thus, the study aimed to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of structured teaching program on knowledge regarding side effects of chemotherapy and its home management among cancer patients.

Methods: Quasi experimental, Non- equivalent control group research design was used in the study. Total 60 participants were selected in the study by non-probability purposive sampling technique from Regional cancer hospital, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh. The data was collected by structured knowledge questionnaire tool with interview method for evaluating knowledge level of cancer patients. Structured teaching program was administered in two days for 1 hour (30 minutes in each day).

Results: Result showed that the mean pre test score and standard deviation of knowledge level in experimental group is 10.83± 4.13 and 23.33± 2.64 of post test respectively and mean difference of 12.5 Which is highly significant at p value < 0.05 which means the knowledge level of cancer patients was improved after implementation of the structured teaching program By contrast in control group little difference between pre and post test score of knowledge level among cancer patients which is not significant. There was association found between gender, marital status and previous knowledge (p˂0.05).

Conclusion: The findings of present study showed that the structured teaching program was effective and help in improving knowledge level of cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. Educating the cancer patients will help them to become more knowledgeable about their own health, treatment and also help in managing side effects at home.