Predictors of Knowledge and Self-Care among Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy
Abstract: Introduction: Knowledge of chemotherapy-related side effects and self-care behavior are important components of symptom management during cancer treatment. This study aimed to identify sociodemographic and clinical predictors of knowledge and self-care behavior among patients receiving chemotherapy and to examine the relationship between these outcomes. Methods: Data were collected from 120 patients attending the medical oncology and radiation oncology units of AIIMS, Bhubaneswar. Sociodemographic and clinical proforma, a 22-item knowledge questionnaire and a 38-item self-care behavior rating scale were used for collecting the data. Multiple linear regression was used to identify predictors, and Spearman correlation was used to assess the relationship between knowledge and self-care behaviour. Results: Educational qualification (p = 0.005), religion (p = 0.008) and stage of cancer (p = 0.047) were significant predictors of knowledge. Family history of cancer (p = 0.009) and marital status (p = 0.015) were significant predictors of self-care behaviour. The reported R2 values were 0.10 for knowledge and 0.08 for self-care behaviour. Knowledge and self-care behaviour showed a weak positive correlation (r? = 0.194, p = 0.034). Conclusion: Selected sociodemographic and clinical characteristics were significant predictors of knowledge and self-care behavior; however, the regression models explained only a small proportion of the variation in these outcomes. Knowledge showed a weak positive correlation with self-care behavior.
Keywords: Chemotherapy; knowledge; self-care behaviour; predictors; cancer
How to Cite?: Preetam Kumar Verma, Mariamma V George, "Predictors of Knowledge and Self-Care among Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy", Volume 15 Issue 10, October 2026, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 1355-1357, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR261020135124, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR261020135124