Factors associated with self-efficacy self-care of cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy

Self-care is the connection between knowledge and action, and relates to beliefs about the capabilities of performing specific behaviors. After chemotherapy, cancer patients are faced with many problems which can negatively effect on their self-efficacy. The present study was conducted to determine the factors associated with the self-efficacy self-care of cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

This descriptive-correlational study was conducted in the cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy in Shaheed Beheshti Hospital, Hamadan, 2013. By convenience sampling, 100 eligible patients were selected. Data were collected by demographic Form and Self-Efficacy self-care Scale (Strategies Used by People to Promote Health (SUPPH)). Data were analyzed by the t-test, ANOVA and regression test via the software 16-SPSS at the 95% confidence interval.

The most of patients were male (56%) and unemployed (54%). The mean score of the patients’ self-efficacy self-care was 96.56 (±25.12). The significantly higher scores of the self-efficacy self-care were found in the patients who were male (p.05).

The level of self-efficacy is lower in patients who were female, low literate education, unemployed, diagnosed with cancer more than 10 months, performed 7-12 periods of chemotherapy and low income than other groups. So they need more attention. Education and employment are the two determinants of self-efficacy in these patients.