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

Introduction: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.
Methods: 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.
Results: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.
Conclusion: 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.