Evaluation of patients' adherence to chemotherapy for breast cancer

ABSTRACT

The study aimed to establish the common reasons for non-adherence to drug treatment among breast cancer patients at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex; Ile-Ife; Nigeria over a ten-year period (Jan 1993 - Dec 2002). Patients' adherence and reasons for non-adherence to chemotherapy were evaluated using descriptive statistics. Two hundred and twenty-five breast cancer patients including 199 females and 6 males with breast cancer were recruited. 12(5.3) patients had Stage I disease while 126 (56) were in stage IV. The non-adherence rate was 80.9and 111(73) of the non-adherent patients were eventually not seen again. Of the one hundred and one patients who gave reasons for non-adherence; 45complained of financial difficulties; 18thought they were well enough; 15were fearful of subsequent operation and 11were unable to further bear the drug side effects. In conclusion; the study demonstrated poor economic status of the patients as one of the major reasons for non-adherence to cancer chemotherapy in Nigeria. Government subsidy of breast cancer treatment; improved health education and advocacy complemented by home visiting to encourage hospital attendance would be required for better adherence to chemotherapy