Determining the factors affecting chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in children with cancer.

PURPOSE: We evaluated the factors affecting chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) in children with cancer. DESIGN AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted with 62 children aged 9 to 18 years old with a solid tumor who received chemotherapy for the first time, and their parents. Data were collected using a data collection form, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children, the Beck Anxiety Inventory, the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and the Baxter Retching Faces Scale. Data were analyzed using Spearman's correlation and logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: Risk factors related to the child, treatment, and parent were examined. Child-related factors were determined as diagnosis (odds ratio [OR] = 5.5), time since diagnosis (OR = 1.9, OR = 4.7), pretreatment anxiety of the child (r = 0.439, r = 0.422), and past experience of nausea and vomiting before treatment (OR = 1.2). Treatment-related factors involved anti-emetic prophylaxis (OR = 4.9, OR = 9.2). Parent-related factors included pretreatment anxiety of the parent (r = 0.271, r = 0.287), accommodation (OR = 5.5), not eating (OR = 1.2, OR = 1.3), and bad smell (OR = 1.2), which were described amongst parents' as factors that trigger CINV. CONCLUSIONS: The occurrence of CINV is significantly affected by child-, treatment-, and parent-related risk factors. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Pediatric nurses should create an environment for children and their parents to reduce their anxiety and provide basic knowledge and skills about the management of CINV.

Predictors of parenting stress in parents of children with cancer.

PURPOSE: In the present study, we investigated the parenting stress experienced by parents of children with cancer and the influencing factors. METHOD: This was a cross-sectional and descriptive correlational study that consisted of parents of 136 children in the age group of 0-18 years who were followed up for cancer in the outpatient clinics and services of a university hospital in Turkey. Parenting Stress Index, Burden Interview, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, Marital Life Satisfaction Scale, and Ways of Coping Questionnaire were used to collect the data. RESULTS: No statistically significant difference was found between the parenting stress mean scores and gender of the parents of children with cancer (t = -0.350; P = 0.727). The results of the present study showed that the economic status (t = -4.16; P = 0.000), parents' physical (t = 3.606; P = 0.000) and mental health status after the child is diagnosed (t = 5.647; P = 0.000), accompanying mental health problems of the child (t = 2.567; P = 0.011), and diagnosis of children at a young age (t = -2.776; P = 0.006) increased the parenting stress of the parents. CONCLUSIONS: Nursing interventions can reduce parental stress by providing sufficient care and support during the disease process.