Level of Adherence to Cytotoxic Drugs by Breast Cancer Patients’ in Lagos State University Teaching Hospital ()
Affiliation(s)
1Oncology Unit, Department of Radiology, Lagos State University College of Medicine, Ikeja, Nigeria.
2Department of Pharmacology, Lagos State University College of Medicine, Ikeja, Nigeria.
3Department of Radiotherapy, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idiaraba, Nigeria.
4Department of Surgery, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, Nigeria.
ABSTRACT
Background: Breast cancer is one of
the most common malignant diseases in women and adjuvant combination
chemotherapy has been shown to reduce mortality from this disease. Adherence to medical treatment is a
multifaceted issue that can substantially alter the outcomes of therapy.
Patient non-adherence to chemotherapy is the ultimate barrier to the treatment
effectiveness. Objective: This study was carried out to determine the
relationship between cancer chemotherapy adherence and breast cancer staging,
patient’s perception of cancer care and patient’s socio-demographic
characteristics. Material and method: This was a cross sectional study
selection of respondents and was based on simple random sampling technique, 184
patients were interviewed and data was collected using a semi-structured
questionnaire to obtain socio-demographic data, adherence data, and
facility-related information. Results: There was a significant association
between marital status and non-adherence (P = 0.013). Both separated and single
subjects had higher proportion of non-adherence compared with married subjects.
Analysis of perception of chemotherapy care revealed a significant association
between the satisfaction score and non-adherence, with non-adherent patients
showing higher scores or being less satisfied. The quality of service (P = 0.0052); rating of needs been met (P = 0.0079); rating on whether the
services helped the subject (P =
0.0405); rating on the general satisfaction of the services provided (P = 0.0115); and rating on whether
subject would seek help again (P =
0.0320) all had a significant association with non-adherence. Conclusion: The
awareness of oncologist and patient of the problem of non-adherence and
communication regarding the importance of adherence to therapy may improve
health outcomes.
Share and Cite:
Abiodun, P. , Makanjuola, S. , Anthonia, S. , Adaeze, I. , Oludara, M. , Nasir, I. and Foluso, O. (2015) Level of Adherence to Cytotoxic Drugs by Breast Cancer Patients’ in Lagos State University Teaching Hospital.
Journal of Cancer Therapy,
6, 383-389. doi:
10.4236/jct.2015.64041.