Pearman D Parker1, Sue P Heiney2, Swann Arp Adams3, Daniela B Friedman4, Robin M Dawson5. 1. University of South Carolina, College of Nursing, 1601 Greene Street, Columbia 29208, SC, USA. Electronic address: pparker@uams.edu. 2. University of South Carolina, College of Nursing, 1601 Greene Street, Columbia 29208, SC, USA. Electronic address: heineys@mailbox.sc.edu. 3. University of South Carolina, College of Nursing, 1601 Greene Street, Columbia 29208, SC, USA; University of South Carolina, Arnold School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, 915 Greene Street, Columbia 29208, SC, USA. Electronic address: adamss@mailbox.sc.edu. 4. University of South Carolina, Arnold School of Public Health, Department of Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior, 915 Greene Street, Columbia 29208, SC, USA. Electronic address: dbfriedman@sc.edu. 5. University of South Carolina, College of Nursing, 1601 Greene Street, Columbia 29208, SC, USA. Electronic address: robin.dawson@sc.edu.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Chemotherapy knowledge is linked to managing side effects, reducing exposure to potential infection, and adjusting lifestyle behaviors while going through treatment. However, no research exists regarding the influence of patients' personal attributes on chemotherapy knowledge. Aim The aim of this study was to describe the relationships of health literacy and demographics on chemotherapy knowledge among women with breast cancer undergoing treatment. METHOD: We used a descriptive, exploratory design with convenience sampling of women with breast cancer receiving intravenous chemotherapy who completed one mandatory education session. Participants completed a demographic questionnaire and three instruments: 1) Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy - Short Form (REALM-SF); 2) Shortened Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults (S-TOFHLA); and 3) Leuven Questionnaire on Patient Knowledge of Chemotherapy (L-PaKC). We used univariate linear regression and ANOVA to identify how health literacy and demographics influenced chemotherapy knowledge. RESULTS: The REALM-SF (p = .022) and S-TOFHLA (p = .023) scores were significantly associated with chemotherapy knowledge. Chemotherapy knowledge scores were affected by marital status (p = .018) and income (p < .001) where married women had significantly higher chemotherapy knowledge scores (M = 92.6, SD = 6.6) than women who were divorced (M = 83.3, SD = 16.7) with a knowledge score difference of -9.3 between the groups (p = .02). Comparisons showed significant differences of chemotherapy knowledge between women with differing income levels. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the relevance of considering patients' health literacy and personal attributes such as marital status and income when teaching about chemotherapy.
BACKGROUND: Chemotherapy knowledge is linked to managing side effects, reducing exposure to potential infection, and adjusting lifestyle behaviors while going through treatment. However, no research exists regarding the influence of patients' personal attributes on chemotherapy knowledge. Aim The aim of this study was to describe the relationships of health literacy and demographics on chemotherapy knowledge among women with breast cancer undergoing treatment. METHOD: We used a descriptive, exploratory design with convenience sampling of women with breast cancer receiving intravenous chemotherapy who completed one mandatory education session. Participants completed a demographic questionnaire and three instruments: 1) Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy - Short Form (REALM-SF); 2) Shortened Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults (S-TOFHLA); and 3) Leuven Questionnaire on Patient Knowledge of Chemotherapy (L-PaKC). We used univariate linear regression and ANOVA to identify how health literacy and demographics influenced chemotherapy knowledge. RESULTS: The REALM-SF (p = .022) and S-TOFHLA (p = .023) scores were significantly associated with chemotherapy knowledge. Chemotherapy knowledge scores were affected by marital status (p = .018) and income (p < .001) where married women had significantly higher chemotherapy knowledge scores (M = 92.6, SD = 6.6) than women who were divorced (M = 83.3, SD = 16.7) with a knowledge score difference of -9.3 between the groups (p = .02). Comparisons showed significant differences of chemotherapy knowledge between women with differing income levels. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the relevance of considering patients' health literacy and personal attributes such as marital status and income when teaching about chemotherapy.
Authors: Candyce H Kroenke; Laura D Kubzansky; Eva S Schernhammer; Michelle D Holmes; Ichiro Kawachi Journal: J Clin Oncol Date: 2006-03-01 Impact factor: 44.544
Authors: JoAnn S Oliver; Rebecca S Allen; Morgan K Eichorst; Lisa Mieskowski; Patrick J Ewell; Pamela Payne-Foster; Camille Ragin Journal: Cancer Causes Control Date: 2018-05-26 Impact factor: 2.506
Authors: Pearman D Parker; Sue P Heiney; Daniela B Friedman; Swann Arp Adams; Robin M Dawson Journal: J Cancer Educ Date: 2019-08-07 Impact factor: 2.037
Authors: Nosayaba Osazuwa-Peters; Eric Adjei Boakye; Adnan S Hussaini; Nanthiya Sujijantarat; Rajan N Ganesh; Matthew Snider; Devin Thompson; Mark A Varvares Journal: PLoS One Date: 2017-05-17 Impact factor: 3.240