Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of primary caregivers of gastric cancer patients regarding postoperative dietary management

Desheng Luo; Hongtao Xu; Chuan Jiang; Jingjing Zheng; Dan Wu; Laizhen Tou; Haifeng Que; Zheng Sun

doi:10.1186/s12885-024-13240-3

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of primary caregivers of gastric cancer patients regarding postoperative dietary management

BMC Cancer. 2024 Dec 3;24(1):1487. doi: 10.1186/s12885-024-13240-3.

Authors

Desheng Luo¹, Hongtao Xu², Chuan Jiang³, Jingjing Zheng³, Dan Wu³, Laizhen Tou³, Haifeng Que³, Zheng Sun³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Gastrointestinal Abdominal Hernia Surgery, Lishui Municipal Central Hospital, Lishui, Zhejiang, 323000, China. yiyunfei@126.com.
² Department of Gastrointestinal Abdominal Hernia Surgery, Lishui Municipal Central Hospital, Lishui, Zhejiang, 323000, China. 38784503@qq.com.
³ Department of Gastrointestinal Abdominal Hernia Surgery, Lishui Municipal Central Hospital, Lishui, Zhejiang, 323000, China.

Abstract

Background: Family caregivers of gastric cancer (GC) patients after gastrectomy have a strong demand for nutrition knowledge. This study investigates the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of primary caregivers of GC patients regarding postoperative dietary management.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study, collecting data through questionnaire distribution. Demographic information of the respondents and KAP scores were assessed and analyzed.

Results: Of 508 included participants, majority were female (59.84%) urban residents (78.94%), aged 40-60 years (53.15%). Caretakers were primarily spouses of GC patient (50.39%) or parents (10.43%), only child (12.99%) or non-only child (24.21%). Notable percentage of poor knowledge and practice was found among participants (45.05% and 40.55%, respectively), while attitude was predominantly positive (99.41%). Correlation analysis revealed a weak positive correlation between knowledge and attitude scores (r = 0.150, P < 0.001) and negative link to practice scores (r=-0.228, P < 0.001); attitude scores were positively correlated with practice (r = 0.117, P = 0.008). Multivariate logistic regression analysis found that higher attitude scores were independently associated with higher practice scores (OR = 1.360; 95%CI, 1.223-1.513), P < 0.001), while higher knowledge scores (OR = 0.684; 95%CI, 0.575-0.815), P < 0.001), older age (OR = 0.951; 95%CI, 0.918-0.985), P = 0.005), duration of caregiving > 3 months (3-6 months (OR = 0.415; 95%CI, 0.193-0.894, P = 0.025); 6 months-1 year (OR = 0.269; 95%CI, 0.120-0.606), P = 0.002); >1 year (OR = 0.290; 95%CI, 0.120-0.705), P = 0.006), and follow-up location after patient's surgery (OR = 0.072 (0.033-0.160), P < 0.001) were independently associated with lower practice scores.

Conclusions: Family caregivers of GC patients that participated in this study demonstrated moderate knowledge and practice, but positive attitude towards dietary management after gastrectomy.

Keywords: Attitudes; Caregivers; Gastric cancer; Knowledge; Practices.

MeSH terms

Adult
Aged
Caregivers* / psychology
Cross-Sectional Studies
Female
Gastrectomy
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Postoperative Care / methods
Postoperative Period
Stomach Neoplasms* / surgery
Surveys and Questionnaires

Grants and funding

2022KY1429/Impact and significance of different digestive tract reconstruction methods on pancreatic exocrine function after laparoscopic early proximal gastric cancer resection.