Master of Public Health

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Browsing Master of Public Health by Author "Ketema Bogale"

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    Under nutrition and Its Associated Factors among Adult Cancer Patients Receiving Chemotherapy: A Cross-Sectional Study at Asella Teaching and Referral Hospital, Oromia, Southeast Ethiopia, 2025
    (2025-05-01) Ketema Bogale
    ABSTRACT Background: Undernutrition is a major global public health issue, affecting an estimated 30–80% of cancer patients during the course of their illness. In Ethiopia, the nutritional status of adult cancer patients receiving chemotherapy remains insufficiently studied, especially in regional settings such as Oromia, with most existing evidence coming from urban centers like Addis Ababa. Objective: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of undernutrition and associated factors among adult cancer patients receiving chemotherapy at Asella Referral and Teaching Hospital, Oromia, southeast Ethiopia, in 2025. Methods: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted from August 11 to October 18, 2025, involving 214 adult cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Participants were selected using systematic random sampling. Data were collected using a structured, pretested questionnaire, the Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA) tool, and anthropometric measurements. Completed questionnaires were entered into Epi-Data version 4.7, exported to the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), and analyzed using it. Descriptive statistics summarized the data. Variables with p < 0.25 in bivariate analysis were entered into multivariable logistic regression. Adjusted odds ratios (AORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to report associations, and significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: A total of 214 participants completed the study, yielding a response rate of 98.62%. The mean age of the respondents was 54.8 ± 13.7 years. The overall prevalence of under nutrition based on PG-SGA was 61.7% (95% CI: 55.2–68.2). Factors significantly associated with under nutrition included Stage III cancer (AOR=4.26, 95% CI: 1.14–15.99), Stage IV cancer (AOR=4.79, 95% CI: 1.30–17.71), loss of appetite (AOR=3.47, 95% CI: 1.14–10.50), vomiting (AOR=7.71, 95% CI: 2.07–28.71), diarrhea (AOR=4.10, 95% CI: 1.43–11.70), and consuming fewer than three meals per day (AOR=2.83, 95% CI: 1.20–6.66). Conclusion: Under nutrition was highly prevalent among adult cancer patients receiving chemotherapy in the study area. Advanced disease stage, inadequate meal frequency, loss of appetite, vomiting, and diarrhea significantly increased the risk of under nutrition. Strengthening routine nutritional assessment, early identification of high-risk patients, and integrating nutrition-focused interventions into oncology care are strongly recommended. Keywords: Prevalence, under nutrition, Cancer, Chemotherapy, Asella, Hospital, Ethiopia