Do the unmet needs affect the quality of life in breast cancer patients? / ¿Afectan las necesidades no satisfechas la calidad de vida de las pacientes con cáncer de mama?

OBJECTIVE: Breast cancer is an important disease and one where healthcare services have the potential to improve the quality of life. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between unmet needs and the quality of life (QoL) of breast cancer patients. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This study comprised one hundred breast cancer patients who attended the Oncology Outpatient Clinic in Cukurova University between April and June 2001. Three questionnaires were used: questionnaires for demographic details, unmet needs and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General Questionnaire QoL. RESULTS: There was significant correlation between QoL score and unmet needs score (r = 0.263, p = 0.008) and between QoL score and Napier logarithm (monthly income) (r = 0.257, p = 0.011). There was a significant difference in QoL score by occupation (p = 0.007). CONCLUSION: It is important to assess patients psychologically so as to make interventions about their psychosocial needs which affect QoL. This will require the re-evaluation of doctor-patient communication and interventions for improvement of this relationship.

Objetivo: El cáncer de mama es una enfermedad importante en la que los servicios de atención a la salud tienen la posibilidad de mejorar la calidad de vida, El objetivo de este estudio es evaluar la relación entre las necesidades no satisfechas y la calidad de vida (CdV) de los pacientes con cáncer de mama. Sujetos y Métodos: Este estudio comprende cien pacientes con cáncer de mama, quienes asistían a la Clínica Externa de Oncología en la Universidad de Cukurova entre abril y junio de 2001. Se utilizaron tres tipos de cuestionarios: un formulario para los detalles demográficos, uno para las necesidades no satisfechas, y finalmente el Cuestionario General de CdV para la Evaluación Funcional de Terapia del Cáncer. Resultados: Hubo una correlación significativa entre la puntuación de la CdV y la puntuación de las necesidades no satisfechas (r = 0.263, p = 0.008), y entre la puntuación de la CdV y el logaritmo de Napier (ingreso mensual) (r = 0.257, p = 0.011). Hubo una diferencia significativa en la puntuación de CdV por ocupación (p = 0.007). Conclusión: Es importante evaluar a los pacientes psicológicamente a fin de realizar intervenciones en torno a las necesidades psicosociales que afectan su CdV. Esto requerirá la re-evaluación de la comunicación doctor-paciente y las intervenciones para el mejoramiento de esta relación

The smoking prevalence and the determinants of smoking behaviour among students in Cukurova University, Southern Turkey / La prevalencia del hábito de fumar y las determinantes de la conducta de fumador entre los Estudiantes de Cukurova, al sur de Turquía

OBJECTIVES: To determine the smoking prevalence and its determinants in students at Cukurova University, Southern Turkey. DESIGN: The sample was selected from the first and final year students of all faculties in Cukurova University. The students who were present on the day of the survey were all included in the study. The students filled in an anonymous questionnaire detailing their sociodemographic characteristics and smoking behaviour A random sample of 2200 students in Cukurova University was enrolled in the study representing a total of 8309 students for this random cross-sectional study. The response rate was 90.9(n = 2131). A self-administered questionnaire was completed by all students. Outcome measures were smoking prevalence, family and peer smoking, grade, gender and place of living that may be related to smoking. Logistic regression was used to examine the determinants of smoking behaviour RESULTS: Smoking increased between the ages of 13 and 17 years (26.6and 43.7, respectively). The smoking behaviour of best friends was the most powerful determinant of smoking, and this was consistent across the age groups. Best friends' attitudes towards smoking and family members' smoking behaviour were also important determinants of smoking. CONCLUSIONS: Smoking prevalence among students in Cukurova University, in Southern Turkey, is high. Effective smoking prevention programmes should take into account the dominant influence of peers on the onset and maintenance of smoking behaviour School-related items had a less important role in predicting smoking behaviour than expected.