Improving Cancer Patients Satisfaction with Treatment Process: A Pilot Interventional Approach in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Karachi, Pakistan

Chemotherapy is one of the treatments of choice worldwide to combat cancer. The complex nature of chemotherapeutic agents results in multiple physiological and psychological issues and if the patient and their caregivers (family) are unaware of these effects, poses additional stress which may result in patient dissatisfaction. This pilot project aimed to provide patients'/families' awareness regarding the process of treatment and subsequently to improve their satisfaction level

Quality of life and its determinants in adult cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment in Pakistan.

Objective: Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide. Likewise, in Pakistan, it is a major health problem, with an approximate increase each year. Cancer treatment, particularly chemotherapy, produces a detrimental effect on individuals\u27 well-being. Since the past few years, quality of life (QOL) is considered as the primary goal of cancer treatment in patients\u27 survival. This study aimed to assess the QOL and its determinants in adult cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment. Methods: An analytical cross-sectional design was employed to achieve the study objectives, utilizing consecutive sampling technique. A total of 150 adult (\u3e19 years) cancer patients were recruited from a Tertiary Care Hospital in Karachi, Pakistan. The data were collected using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General, a QOL questionnaire. Multiple linear regression was run to determine the effect of predictor variables, with a mean QOL score. Results: The overall mean score of QOL as 57.37. The domains of physical and emotional well-being were mainly affected by the chemotherapy treatment. Variables such as no previous hospitalization and no significant changes in life events were positively associated with the QOL. On the other hand, being female, unemployed, chemotherapy side effects (\u3e1 week), impaired socialization, and discrimination by family/relatives were negatively associated with the QOL. Conclusions: The study findings suggested an overall low QOL among adult cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment. It is recognized as a stressful treatment, which adversely affects the QOL of cancer patients. Interventions should focus on both the physical and psychological issues and need to be addressed to improve the QOL of adult cancer patients

Knowledge of Pubertal Changes and Self-Care in Adolescent Boys

OBJECTIVES: The proportion of adolescents population has grown rapidly since last decade. Pakistan is among those countries having largest youth population in the world. These adolescents have some common misconceptions about pubertal changes. The purpose of this study was to determine perceptions and practices of adolescents’ boys about puberty, and to assess effectiveness of educational sessions on knowledge of adolescents about puberty at secondary school F.B. area Karachi. METHODS: Time series pre and post quasi-experimental design was used to conduct the study. Need assessment was done to assess adolescent needs of Secondary School students. On the basis of need assessment session were arranged for the student of class VIII, IX & X. Pre & Post mean score of knowledge was calculated to see the effectiveness of the sessions. RESULTS: Over all Fifty-eight participants were enrolled in the study. However, for need assessment 15 subjects were selected. Approximately half of the participants were unaware about their pubertal age. 73.33% of the adolescents reported that they felt shame and hypersensitive over the physical changes they experience in pubertal age group. Interestingly, 53.33% of the adolescents reported that they talk about these changes with their parents. Pre-test mean score was 4.12 with standard deviation of ±1.339, while Post-test means score was 5.43 and standard deviation was ±1.523. Adolescent scores improved from 4.12 in Pre-test to 5.43 in Post-test. CONCLUSION: In conclusion the adolescent boys feel hypersensitive over physical changes they experience in pubertal age group. Most of them have misconceptions about puberty, which may lead to poor physical and mental health. The knowledge of adolescents regarding puberty significantly improved after educational sessions