Nutritional Status and Its Determinants among Adult Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy Treatment at Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Hawassa, Southern Ethiopia

Abstract

Background. Malnutrition is a common problem in cancer patients. It has an impact on all aspects of the patient's life such as increasing the risk of infection, treatment toxicity, hospital stay, and health-care costs. Factors influencing the nutritional status of adult cancer patients undertaking chemotherapy treatment in Ethiopia have not been thoroughly investigated. As a result, the purpose of this study is to assess the nutritional status and its determinants among adult cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment at Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital. Objectives. The objective of this study is to determine the nutritional status and its determinants among adult cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment at Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted among adult cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment at Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital Oncology Treatment Center, from January to May 2021. The data were gathered through a face-to-face interview and chart review method. Epi Data 4.6 was used to enter the data, which was then exported to SPSS version 25 for statistical analysis. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to determine the association between nutritional status and potential risk factors. A $P$ value less than 0.05 was used to determine statistical significance. Result. This study revealed that 48.1% of participants have some level of malnutrition. Lowest wealth index AOR 0.06 (0.016–0.2), food insecurity AOR 0.1 (0.05–0.24), vomiting AOR 0.2 (0.110–.444), poor appetite AOR 0.2 (0.11–0.44), no diarrhea AOR 2.6 (1.34–5.00), and poor functioning AOR 0.3 (0.2–0.54) were significantly associated with good nutritional status. Conclusion and Recommendation. The prevalence of malnutrition among adult cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment at HUCSH was high. Wealth index, food security, poor appetite, diarrhea, and performance status were significantly correlated with the nutritional status of the patients. To improve the patient’s nutritional status, economic support, early nutritional screening, and assessment, management of chemotherapy-induced symptoms should be considered.