Effectiveness of Self-care Measures on Knowledge, Self-efficacy and Performance Status among Cancer Patients

There is a growing concern regarding self-care and chemotherapy side effects. The present study aimed to assess the effectiveness of self-care measures on knowledge, self-efficacy, and performance status among cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

A quasi-experimental study was conducted in Dr. Kamatchi Memorial Hospital, India. Using purposive sampling technique, 200 cancer patients were selected. Patients were interviewed using semi-structured knowledge questionnaires, Modified Stanford Patient Education Research Center Self-efficacy scale, deliberate self-efficacy with rating scale under four subheadings, and ECOG Performance Status Scale with 5–point grading scale i.e., dead to fully active.

There was adequate knowledge (95%) on self-care measures after the intervention. The mean score was significant, i.e., 21.33 (2.25), which had difference between post-knowledge score in experimental and control was statistically significant at P<0.001 level. The majority of patients reported a high self-efficacy level (t = 198.60, P<0.001). In addition, despite self-efficacy and knowledge the performance status observed at each cycle, i.e., 4 cycles had mean score of t = 32.13, P<0.001, showed high level of performance status.

The study revealed that the self-care measures during each cycle had improved the selfefficacy and performance status to high level, which in turn reduced the side effects of chemotherapy to the certain level.