Self-Care Behaviours of Chemotherapy Patients
Chardsumon Prutipinyo PhD*, Kamontip Maikeow BA**, Nithat Sirichotiratana DrPH*
Affiliation : * Faculty of Public Health, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand ** The National Regional Cancer Center, Chonburi, Thailand
Objective : To present study self-care behaviours and variables associated with self-care behaviors of cancer patients treated
with chemotherapy.
Material and Method: This is a descriptive, cross-sectional study in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy in out-patient
department of the National Regional Cancer Center in Chonburi City. Interview questionnaire was the data collection
instrument for 133 purposive sampling.
Results : Survey result indicated that patients were highly aware of the support provided by staff on service supports,
emotional supports and informational support. The present study results also found that the top 3 patient self-care knowledge
are, avoiding those who have cold when the patients have low white blood cells, eating hot (cooked well with heat) food and
knowing the effects of chemotherapy on causing low red blood cells, low platelets and low white blood cells. The top 3 self-care
behaviours of the patients were, always eat cooked food, inquire and understand the instructions from health personnel for
self-care and always check herself/himself to maintain good health. However, patients did not usually exercise at least 15
minutes every day, select the recreational activities adequately, and not finding ways to improve their own health. Results from
hypothesis testing, indicated that only knowledge variable was associated with self-care behaviours of patients treated with
chemotherapy. The demographic variables such as age, marital status, education level, income were not associated with self-
care behaviours of patients treated with chemotherapy.
Conclusion : Knowledge is associated with self-care behaviours of cancer patients who received chemotherapy. Providing
health promotion for patients is necessary for them to have better self-care behaviours.
Keywords : Self-care behaviours, Cancer patients, Chemotherapy
