Guidelines to sustain nutritional status of patients on cervical cancer therapy in Ethiopia

Abstract

Cervicalcancer is the third most common canceramong women worldwide, andthe second most common cancer among women in developing countries. The nutritional status of cervical cancers patients therefore became important in determining treatment outcomes, requiring healthcare providers to follow up and assess each cervical cancer patient’s nutritionalstatus and nutrition care plan to provide quality patient care and enhance patient outcomes. The purpose of this study was to develop standard guidelines to sustain the nutritional status of patients on cervical cancer therapy in Ethiopia. The research was conducted in four phases.In the first phase, a quantitative, retrospective,and prospective cohort study design was applied to identify the survival rate and nutritional experiences of cervical cancer patients, guided by the theory of planned behaviour (TPB). Phase 2entailed the analysis and interpretation of findings fromPhase1;1094 cervical cancer patient records met the inclusion criteria and were retrieved for data capturing. Ultimately,175 patients were included as study participants tocomplete the questionnaires. Phase 3 involved the interpretation of data and the integration thereof with literature available on guideline development.The study’sfindings revealed nutritional challenges such as treatment-related side effects (including a loss of appetite and nausea)contributeto decreased food intake and weight loss.It was also identified that many factors influence cervical cancer patients’ health outcomesand the TPBhave played an underlying role in exploring the inhibiters of healthy eating, support from healthcare providers,and support fromimportant others towards healthy eating behaviour. The theory assistedthe researcherin understanding the support required from healthcare providers to promote patients’ health eatingbehaviour. Developing short and long-term care plans in areas such as nutritional management, including nutritional screening, nutritional assessment, nutritional and psychosocial support that can improve patient outcomes while the patient is under the direct care of the healthcare team is needed. Seven expert panellists participated in the e-Delph technique in Phase 4 to validate the developed standard guidelinesto sustain the nutritional status of cervical cancer patients on therapy. The guidelinesareintended to primarily support the Ministry of Health (MOH) and policymakers interestedin developing or strengthening national cancer treatment, by implementing a guideline to sustain the nutritional status of cervical cancer patients on therapy in Ethiopia.