Experiences and desired nursing assistance of women on out-patient breast cancer chemotherapy in Southeastern Nigeria.

OBJECTIVE: This study explored the experiences and nursing support needs of women undergoing out-patient breast cancer chemotherapy in two teaching hospitals in Southeastern Nigeria. METHODS: Using a qualitative descriptive design, based on grounded theory approach and focus group discussion (FGD) methodology, 20 histological confirmed breast cancer patients at different stages of combination chemotherapy (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and fluorouracil ) were purposively selected and engaged in FGDs at two surgical oncology clinics. Data saturation was reached at the fourth FGD. The audio-taped and transcribed data were content analyzed using thematic approach. RESULTS: Participants were all christians of the Igbo-speaking ethnic group, and aged between 36 and 66 years. Most were married and had at least primary education. Five themes emerged from the FGDs: inadequate preparation for chemotherapy; chemotherapy scary, distressful, and financially demanding; hope, faith and courage sustained treatment; self-care actions initiated to 'weather the storm'; and nursing assistance desired to foster hope and enhance patients' acceptance of, adjustment and adherence to breast cancer chemotherapy in Nigeria. Culture influenced their chemotherapy perspectives and coping. CONCLUSION: Women with breast cancer in southeastern Nigeria desired but were inadequately prepared to cope with chemotherapy distress they experienced. Nurses could help patients to accept and navigate through chemotherapy by initiating and supporting effective and efficient self-care actions that are culturally congruent.Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Knowledge attitudes and practices of cervical cancer screening among urban and rural Nigerian women: a call for education and mass screening.

The incidence of cervical cancer has declined in developed nations due to routine use of cervical cancer screening services. In developing nations opportunistic screening is the practice, and many women present with late-stage disease. This study was designed to ascertain the knowledge of the women in Nigeria to cervical cancer, their practice of cervical cancer screening and factors hindering the use of available screening services. A cross-sectional study was done with interviewer-administered questionnaire. Only the consenting women attending an annual Christian religious meeting in 2007 in three towns in Enugu, South Eastern Nigeria participated. Only 15.5% of the respondents were aware of availability of cervical cancer screening services. The awareness significantly varied with the level of educational attainment (P<0.0001). Only 4.2% had ever done Pap smear test and all were referred for screening. The most important factors hindering the use of available cervical cancer screening services were lack of knowledge (49.8%) and the feeling that they had no medical problems (32.0%). There is very poor knowledge and practice of cervical cancer screening among Nigerian women. Effective female education and free mass screening are necessary for any successful cervical cancer screening programme in Nigeria.