The role of patients’ families in treatment decision-making among adult cancer patients in the Sultanate of Oman

Al-Bahri, Abdulrahim; Al-Moundhri, Mansour; Al-Mandhari, Zahid; Al-Azri, Mohammed

doi:10.1111/ecc.12845

Cited by 18 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 32 publications

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“…Adolescents who reported to know someone with cancer were significantly more aware of some of the cancer risk factors, as expected. Close family members who care for cancer patients would have the chance to receive information from healthcare providers, aid in treating and caring for the patient, and be involved in their treatment decision making, which would increase their cancer knowledge levels (Al-Bahri et al, 2018). Also, being exposed to patients who have been diagnosed with cancer has been associated with greater levels of health-related knowledge, information and meeting healthcare professionals, which increases cancer awareness levels and knowledge (Al-Bahri et al, 2018).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Knowledge of Cancer Risk Factors, Symptoms, and Barriers to Seeking Medical Help among Omani Adolescents

Al-Azri

Saadi

Al-Harrasi

et al. 2019

Asian Pac J Cancer Prev

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Objective:Raising cancer awareness among adolescents should lead to early diagnosis and improve their survival rate into adulthood. This study aims to identify knowledge of cancer risk factors, symptoms and barriers to seek medical help among Omani adolescents. Methods: A cross-sectional study with Omani adolescents (aged 15-17 years) has been conducted in six schools in Muscat, the capital of Oman. The general Cancer Awareness Measure questionnaire was used to collect the data. Results: A total of 481 adolescents participated. The average recognition of cancer risk factors and symptoms was low (36.8% and 39.6%, respectively). Cancer risk factors and/or symptoms significantly recognised more in girls compared to boys (χ 2 = 10.136; Odds ratio [OR] = 2.13 ; 95% confidence interval [CI]= 0.33-3.41; P = 0.001); older (age 17 year) versus younger (aged 15 and 16 years) (χ 2 = 6.075; OR = 11.68; 95% CI: 1.11-2.53; P = 0.014); those with existing co-morbidities compared to those without (χ 2 = 4.955; OR = 0.41; 95% CI: 0.18-0.92; P = 0.026); and those who knew someone with cancer compared to those who did not (χ 2 = 15.285; OR 2.70; 95% CI: 1.62-4.49; P <0.001). The majority of adolescents (88.8%) would seek medical help within the first two weeks of noting cancer symptoms. The most notable barriers to seek medical help were "emotional". Girls were experienced "emotional barriers" significantly more than the boys (χ 2 = 11.617; OR = 1.89; 95% CI: 1.31-2.72; P = <0.001). Conclusion: Adolescents in Oman showed poor cancer awareness with several "emotional" barriers. There is a need to establish and integrate effective cancer educational programs in school curriculums to raise the cancer awareness, address emotional barriers and encourage seeking early medical help. The program could potentially have a life-long impact on encouraging early cancer diagnosis and improving the cancer survival rate.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Knowledge of Cancer Risk Factors, Symptoms, and Barriers to Seeking Medical Help among Omani Adolescents

Al-Azri

Saadi

Al-Harrasi

et al. 2019

Asian Pac J Cancer Prev

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“…28 Moreover, having close family members with cancer would presumably also increase one's knowledge of cancer, as such women would receive information from healthcare providers and might also be involved in treatment decision-making and caring for the patient. 30,31 This study was subject to certain limitations. First, the study was conducted at a single teaching hospital in Muscat, which could affect the generalisability of the results.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Knowledge of Risk Factors, Symptoms and Barriers to Seeking Medical Help for Cervical Cancer among Omani Women Attending Sultan Qaboos University Hospital

Al-Azri¹,

Al-Saidi²,

Al-Mutairi³

et al. 2020

Sultan Qaboos Univ Med J

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Objectives: This study aimed to assess knowledge and attitudes among Omani woman regarding cervical cancer risk factors and symptoms as well as barriers to them seeking medical help. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between December 2017 and March 2018 at the Sultan Qaboos University Hospital (SQUH) in Muscat, Oman. A validated Arabic-language version of the Cervical Cancer Awareness Measure questionnaire was used to collect data from 550 Omani women visiting SQUH during the study period. Results: A total of 490 women participated (response rate: 89.1%) in this study. Overall, the women demonstrated low levels of knowledge of cervical cancer risk factors and symptoms (28.5% and 45.0%, respectively). The most frequently recognised risk factor was having many children (36.1%), while the most recognised symptom was unexplained vaginal bleeding (69.8%). Women reported that being too scared was the greatest barrier to seeking medical help (68.0%). Various factors were significantly associated with greater knowledge of cervical cancer signs and symptoms including education level (odds ratio [OR] = 2.85; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.0–8.22; P <0.05), income (OR = 4.34; 95% CI: 1.70–11.12; P <0.05), parity (OR = 3.59; 95% CI: 1.38–9.36; P <0.05) and a family history of cancer (OR = 1.71; CI: 1.0–2.90; P <0.05). Conclusion: Overall, Omani women demonstrated poor knowledge with regards to cervical cancer; in addition, they identified several emotional barriers to seeking medical help. Healthcare practitioners should reassure female patients to encourage care-seeking behaviour. A national screening programme is also recommended to increase awareness and early diagnosis of cervical cancer in Oman.Keywords: Cervical Cancer; Knowledge; Awareness; Risk Factors; Health Care Seeking Behavior; Women; Oman.

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“…3,4 In general, family members in Oman demonstrate a greater degree of involvement in the treatment decision-making process, a finding which may be exacerbated by poor communication with their oncologists. 25 In Western countries, women with BC have reported feelings of fear, anxiety and guilt during and after cancer treatment which affects communication with their partners and interferes with sexual activity. 26 However, few Omani women in the current study perceived a high level of unmet need for additional support in the sexuality domain, despite previous research indicating that women in this population are concerned regarding the potential for bodily disfigurement, alopecia and the loss of their femininity as a result of surgical intervention and chemotherapy.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Unmet Supportive Care Needs of Omani Women Diagnosed with Breast Cancer

Al-Azri

Al-Bimani²,

Al-Maqbali

et al. 2022

Sultan Qaboos Univ Med J

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Objectives: This study aimed to assess the unmet supportive care needs of Omani women with breast cancer (BC). Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2020 to February 2021 among 250 adult Omani women diagnosed with BC at a university teaching hospital in Muscat, Oman. An Arabic version of the 34-item Supportive Care Needs Survey-Short Form tool was used to determine perceived unmet supportive care needs across five domains. Results: A total of 181 women participated in the study (response rate: 72.4%). The domain with the highest mean score per item was health system and information (mean score: 3.33), with the greatest unmet need in this domain being informed about things that the patient could do to help themselves get well (40.9%). The domain with the second highest mean score per item was patient care and support (mean score: 3.04), with the greatest unmet need being for clinicians to be more sincere with the patient (36.5%). Higher total mean scores were reported by women who had visited the hospital four times or more over the past two months (P = 0.045), those with stage 3 or 4 cancer (P = 0.047) and those who had recently undergone radiotherapy or chemotherapy (P = 0.014). Conclusion: Most unmet supportive care needs fell under the health system and information domain. Healthcare providers in Oman should explore patient concerns and provide sufficient information at various stages of the care process in order to decrease the anxiety associated with living with cancer. Keywords: Breast Neoplasms; Needs Assessment; Supportive Care; Women; Oman.

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The role of patients’ families in treatment decision-making among adult cancer patients in the Sultanate of Oman

Cited by 18 publications

References 32 publications

Knowledge of Cancer Risk Factors, Symptoms, and Barriers to Seeking Medical Help among Omani Adolescents

Knowledge of Cancer Risk Factors, Symptoms, and Barriers to Seeking Medical Help among Omani Adolescents

Knowledge of Risk Factors, Symptoms and Barriers to Seeking Medical Help for Cervical Cancer among Omani Women Attending Sultan Qaboos University Hospital

The Unmet Supportive Care Needs of Omani Women Diagnosed with Breast Cancer

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