Original Research Article
Year: 2023 | Month: July-September | Volume: 8 | Issue: 3 | Pages: 97-102
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijshr.20230315
An Observational Study to Assess Stress and Knowledge Regarding Stress Management Among Cancer Patients of Atal Bihari Vajpayee Regional Cancer Centre, Agartala, Tripura (West)
Poushali Pal
Sister Tutor, Dr. BRAM Nursing School, Tripura University, Agartala, Tripura (West), India
ABSTRACT
Background- Stress is a word derived from the Latin word ‘stringere’, meaning ‘to draw tight’. Stress is the nonspecific response of the body to any demand, whether it is caused by, or results in, pleasant or unpleasant conditions.
Objective- To assess the level of stress, the knowledge regarding stress management among cancer patients, to find out the correlation between level of stress and knowledge of cancer patients regarding stress management, to find out the association between level of stress of cancer patients regarding stress management with their selected socio demographic variables and to find out the association between knowledge of cancer patients with their selected socio demographic variables in Atal Bihari Vajpayee Regional Cancer Centre, Agartala, West Tripura.
Subjects & methods- Quantitative, descriptive approach was used in this research study to assess the stress and knowledge regarding stress management among 80 (Eighty) cancer patients who attended Out Patient Department, Chemo therapy, Radiation therapy units of Atal Bihari Vajpayee Regional Cancer Centre, Agartala, West Tripura. Their socio demographic data was analyzed. Modified Perceived Stress Scale was used to assess the stress regarding stress management among cancer patients. Structured knowledge questionnaire was used to assess the knowledge regarding stress management among cancer patients.
Results- Among 80 (Eighty) cancer patients, 35% were from the age group of 50-59 years with male predominance with prevalence of Lung Cancer. 81% of cancer patients had severe stress. 41% of cancer patients had inadequate level of knowledge regarding stress management. There was significant correlation between level of stress and knowledge regarding stress management among cancer patients. The study findings also revealed that there was significant association between level of stress with their selected socio demographic variables except religion and there was significant association between knowledge of cancer patients regarding stress management with their selected socio demographic variables except religion, marital status, type of family, site of cancer at 0.05 level of significance.
Conclusion- The findings of the study revealed that there was a perfect negative correlation between level of stress and knowledge among cancer patients regarding stress management.
Keywords: stress, knowledge, stress management, cancer patients