Quality of life among cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy in government hospitals in Peninsular Malaysia

• Main Authors: Subramaniam, Suhasinee, Mohd Sidik, Sherina, Gyanchand Rampal, Lekhraj Rampal, Ismail, Siti Irma Fadhilah, Periasamy, Ummavathy
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia 2019
• Online Access: http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/67249/1/2019010811335902_MJMHS_Jan_2019.pdf; http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/67249/; http://www.medic.upm.edu.my/upload/dokumen/2019010811335902_MJMHS_Jan_2019.pdf

Introduction: To determine the quality of life (physical health, psychological, social relationships and environment domains) among cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy in government hospitals in Peninsular Malaysia. Methods: The data were collected using self-administered questionnaires. Descriptive statistics were conducted to obtain frequency and percentage of variables. Independent sample T-test and One way ANOVA were used to determine the association between variables. Multiple linear regression model was used to determine the significant predictors. The predictors of each domain was analysed separately. Results: Quality of life among cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy in this study was determined by four domains which were physical health, psychological, social relationships and environment. The overall mean score for physical health was 52.60, psychological was 52.55, social relationships was 50.79 and environment was 51.16. The significant predictors of physical effect domain were monthly income, cancer stage, social support, nausea and vomiting. The significant predictors of psychological do-main were race, marital status, cancer stage, nausea and vomiting. The significant predictors of social relationships domain were race, educational level, social support, nausea and vomiting. The significant predictors of environment domain were race, marital status, hopelessness level, nausea and vomiting. Conclusion: The quality of life among chemotherapy cancer patients is important to be observed. Based on the predictors found in this study, appropriate interventions can be taken to improve the quality of life outcomes and the response towards the treatment.