Magnitude of malnutrition and associated factors among adult cancer Patients on follow up care at St. Paul’s hospital

Abstract

Nutrition is an important factor in the treatment and progression of cancer. In Ethiopia, cancer accounts for 5.8% of the total national mortality. Although national population-based data do not exist in the country except for Addis Ababa, it is estimated that the annual incidence of cancer is around 60,960 cases and the annual mortality over 44,000. Objective: the objective of this research is to assess the magnitude of malnutrition and associated factors among cancer patients on follow up care at St. Paul’s hospital in 2021 Methods: Data were collected using cross sectional study design was used among random sample of 384 from July 4,2021 to on august 21. Result: The study revealed based on the SGA, 56.7%, 95% CI: (52.1%, 61.7%)) of the participants were malnourished. Additionally, the study subjects with comorbidities in addition to cancer were 1.72 times (AOR= 1.72, 95%CI: (1.07, 2.77)) more likely to become malnourished in comparison to those without co morbidities Subjects with breast cancer were 2.98 times(AOR= 2.98, 95%CI : (1.52, 5.81)) more likely to be malnourished and those with prostate cancer were 2.59 times (AOR=, 95%CI : (1.39, 4.83)) more likely to be malnourished in comparison to those with cervical cancer. The study subjects with stage 4 cancer were 4.99 times (AOR=4.99, 95% CI : (1.34, 18.66)) more likely to be malnourished than those with stage 1 cancer , The study participants whose route of feeding on admission was oral semi-solid foods were 4.00 times (AOR= 4.00, 95%CI : (2.56, 12.50)) more likely to become malnourished than those who were solid foods. Moreover, those patients who used liquids were 1.62 times (AOR= 1.62, 95% CI : (1.11, 8.33)) more likely to become malnourished than those using solid foods Conclusion: The current study revealed that there is high magnitude of malnutrition among adult patients with cancer. Presence of other co morbidities, type and advanced stages of cancer, and reduced intakes of solid foods will accelerate the extent of the mortality and morbidity rate to the cancer patient.