Kasuni C. Yamasinghe
Kotelawala Defence University, Sri Lanka
Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Cancer Sci Ther
Background: Anticancer medications are very expensive and great burden for the Sri Lankan government who
provides free healthcare services to the nation. Medication adherence is an important parameter use to measure the
effectiveness of therapy. The objective was to identify the correlation factors that affecting the effectiveness of oral
chemotherapy among the cancer out patients in Apeksha Hospital, Sri Lanka.
Methods: A cross sectional survey was conducted among 202 out patients during period of 3 months utilizing an
interviewer administered questionnaire conceded with five categories. Data was statistically analyzed using SPSS
version 23. Correlations among the 25 adherence factors were studied to identify the critically affecting adherent
factors. Chi square test and r value were calculated to assess factors are statistically significant.
Results: Average medication adherence percentage was 72%. Out of 25 there were 14 critically affecting adherent
factors that r within -0.1 to 0.5. Some of them were; interest to obtain more information, discussion about the dosing
schedule and side effects with the physician, counsel by pharmacist, living condition. The strongest correlation was
showed in understanding therapy with misunderstanding current treatment. (r = -0.320).
Conclusion: Majority had satisfactory level in the adherence. But there were considerable proportion of patients who
had problems in adherence due to some correctable factors. Therefore necessary steps should be taken to improve
adherence by minimizing deficits in some areas. Conducting counseling sessions and awareness programs might be
helpful to enhance adherence and effectiveness of therapy.
E-mail: kchethana10@gmail.com
Cancer Science & Therapy received 5332 citations as per Google Scholar report
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