The Effect of Health Literacy on Self-Efficacy and Quality of Life among Turkish Cancer Patients.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of health literacy on cancer patients' self-efficacy and quality of life. METHODS: The cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted from June 15 to November 15, 2017, at the Private Unit Hospital in Eskisehir, Turkey, and comprised cancer patients aged 18 years or above who were treated in the Medical Oncology clinics and who had received less than four points on the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance scale. Data were collected using the European Health Literacy Survey, the Self-Efficacy to Manage Chronic Disease Scale and the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life - C 30 scale . RESULTS: Of the 111 patients, 83(74.8%) were females. The overall mean age was 55.62±12.75 years. With a mean score of 36.09±6.42, the sample had 'sufficient health literacy'. There was a positive and significant relationship between the European Health Literacy Survey score and the general health subscale score (p=0.036), and a negative and significant relationship with the symptom subscale score (p<0.01). A statistically significant positive relationship was found between the Self-Efficacy to Manage Chronic Disease Scale and the functional (p<0.001) and general health (p<0.001) subscales while a statistically significant negative relationship (p<0.001) was found between the Self-Efficacy to Manage Chronic Disease Scale and the symptom subscale. CONCLUSIONS: Increased literacy levels were found in cancer patients and it helped in improving in their self-efficacy, general health and functional status.

Aromatherapy: The Effect of Lavender on Anxiety and Sleep Quality in Patients Treated With Chemotherapy

BACKGROUND: A cancer diagnosis is a serious stressor that is associated with anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, and inability to fulfill daily routines. Many pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic options are available to help patients with cancer manage anxiety. OBJECTIVES: This randomized, controlled trial examined the effects of lavender oil aromatherapy on anxiety and sleep quality in patients undergoing chemotherapy. METHODS: 70 patients were randomly assigned to a lavender oil group, a tea tree oil group, and a control group with no oil. A patient identification form, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and the Pittsburgh Quality Sleep Index (PSQI) were used to measure anxiety and sleep quality before and after chemotherapy. FINDINGS: State anxiety before and after chemotherapy did not vary among groups. The authors compared trait anxiety values before and after chemotherapy and found a significant difference in the lavender group. In addition, a significant change in PSQI measurements before and after chemotherapy was observed.