Gender differences in self-care activities of adult cancer patients receiving chemotherapy

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Title Gender differences in self-care activities of adult cancer patients receiving chemotherapy
Publication Type thesis
School or College College of Nursing
Department Nursing
Author Richtsmeier, Judith L.
Contributor Nail, Lillian Phd, RN
Date 1993-08
Description With the dramatic shift of chemotherapy administration from the inpatient to the outpatient setting, cancer patients are faced with increasing responsibility in the management of treatment side effects. Information about the use and efficacy of self-care activities in the regulation of chemotherapy side effects is essential in guiding nursing interventions for this patient population. Thus study represents a secondary analysis of data from a study of self-care activities among patients (N = 49) receiving cancer chemotherapy. The purpose of this analysis was to examine possible gender differences in self-care activities of adult cancer patients receiving chemotherapy in an outpatient setting. Using the self-care diary (SCD) developed for the study. Patients recorded their side effects, rated the severity of each side effect, and reported on the use and efficacy of self-care activities 2 days after treatment. The original sample was comprised of 19 (39%) male subjects and 30 (61%) female subjects with various types of cancer and chemotherapy. Of the original 30 female subject 15 (50%) were diagnosed with breast cancer. Although the literature on gender differences in individual adjustment to cancer is conflicting, some recent studies suggest that females with breast and gynecologic cancers may have less psychological distress than females with other cancers. To eliminate a possible confounding variable, to provide a more equitable distribution of male and female subjects, and to allow more heterogeneity of cancer type and treatment, the breast cancer subjects were removed from this sample. For the secondary analysis, the sample was comprised of 34 subjects: 15 (44%) females and 19 (56%) males. Demographic data, side effect incidence and severity, self-care activity type and efficacy were examined in relation to gender. Significant gender differences were found for selected self-care activities. However, no consistent pattern of gender difference was obtained in this sample.
Type Text
Publisher University of Utah
Subject Drug Therapy
Subject MESH Carcinoma; Neoplasms; Self Care; Self-Evaluation Programs
Dissertation Institution University of Utah
Dissertation Name MS
Language eng
Relation is Version of Digital reproduction of "Gender differences in self-care activities of adult cancer patients receiving chemotherapy." Spencer S. Eccles Health Sciences Library. Print version of "Gender differences in self-care activities of adult cancer patients receiving chemotherapy." available at J. Willard Marriott Library Special Collection RC39.5 1993 .R53.
Rights Management © Judith L. Richtsmeier.
Format application/pdf
Format Medium application/pdf
Format Extent 1,118,307 bytes
Identifier undthes,4717
Source Original: University of Utah Spencer S. Eccles Health Sciences Library (no longer available).
Master File Extent 1,118,365 bytes
ARK ark:/87278/s68k7bxr
Setname ir_etd
ID 191402
Reference URL https://collections.lib.utah.edu/ark:/87278/s68k7bxr
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