To examine the level of stigma and identify its in uencing factors among postoperative oral cancer patients in China.
MethodsIn total, 274 postoperative oral cancer patients were recruited from a Grade A Tertiary Hospital in China using convenience sampling methods. Patients completed the Social Impact Scale (SIS), Medical Coping Mode Questionnaire (MCMQ), Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS), and General Self-e cacy Scale (GSE).
ResultsStigma reported by postoperative oral cancer patients was moderate (50.17±21.24). Stepped Multiple Linear Regression showed that the related factors in uencing their feelings of stigma were education level (β = -0.122, P<0.001), smoking (β = -0.140, P<0.001), betel-quid chewing (β = -0.136, P<0.001), type of oral cancer (β = -0.399, P<0.001), pathology type (β = -0.077, P<0.001), confrontation (β = 0.116, P<0.001), avoidance (β = 0.136, P<0.001), and self-e cacy (βv= -0.282, P<0.001), which explained 70.3% of the total variation in stigma (F = 81.829, P<0.001).
ConclusionsStigma was positively predicted by avoidance coping strategies, but negatively predicted by education level, smoking, betel-quid chewing, type of oral cancer, pathology type, confronting coping strategies, and self-e cacy. Further work should focus on developing interventions to reduce stigma by improving protective factors and decreasing risk factors.