Perceptions of professional nurses towards the inclusion of spiritual activities in oncology practice in the uMgungundlovu and eThekwini Health Districts, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: A quantitative descriptive study.

Abstract

Background: Internationally the inclusion of spiritual activities has been well adopted into nursing care. Spiritual activities could be used as one of the coping strategies for cancer patients in times of emotional distress. The South African perspective highlights a huge gap regarding incorporating spiritual activities into oncology practice. Due to popularity and frequent use, the need for identifying the perceptions of professional nurse’s regarding the inclusion of spiritual activities in oncology nursing practice was vital. Methods: The study followed a quantitative descriptive survey. Four health care institutions were purposively selected in the eThekwini and uMgungundlovu health district. Simple random selection of 89 participants that met the eligibility criteria was conducted. Self-administered questionnaires were used to collect data over a period of four weeks from 3rd January 2022 to 9th February 2022, followed by analysis using the SPSS, version 27. Results: The findings revealed that professional nurses agree that spiritual care can be provided by including various spiritual activities into oncology nursing practice.  More than 80% of professional nurses believed in God. Activities like arranging visits by chaplains, showing kindness, cheerfulness, and reassurance were highly rated, exceeding 80%; however, activities like art and creativity were poorly rated, 32.6%. These findings are in line with the hypothesis of the researcher. Conclusion: This study produced empirical evidence that spiritual care can be provided by including various spiritual activities in oncology practice to promote comprehensive nursing care. A module on spirituality should be included in the new oncology program to boost the nurse’s levels of confidence in spiritual care. The study will enhance the nurses’ awareness and expertise in providing a range of activities.