Diet behavior of children with cancer

Abstract

Author(s): Hinda Khaleel Omar* and Wisam Mashaan Muttaleb

Background: Children with cancer are vulnerable to many risk factors and health related difficulties that are associated with cancer treatment. One of those difficulties is related to oral health problems which directly affect the child’s eating habits and preferences, and in turn the child’s overall health and the prognosis process success.

Objective(s): To evaluate the diet behaviours of children with cancer. Methods: Descriptive study designs are used to conduct the study. The study period started from 1 January to 31 May 2023 at the Baquba Oncology center in Diyala. A total of (120) patients were selected from the Cancer Center in Baquba, Diyala Governorate, and 10 samples were excluded for the experimental study. The total number of samples participating in the study became 110 participants. The data collected through a developed questionnaire consist of three sections involving: Demographic data and clinical information section, parents’ awareness about oral health of children with cancer, and the Oral Health Scale (A-OHAT). A self-report strategy was adopted to collect data from the participants. The data of the present study were analysed through the use of the Statistical Package of Social Sciences (SPSS) version (26).

Results: The findings illustrate that children are with average age of 8.9 years ± 2.5 years in which 55.5% of them are seen with age group of “6 yearsless than 10 years” and 44.5% are seen with age group of “10 years and more”. The gender refers that 54.5% of children are males and remaining are females. Also, the results indicate that children with cancer associated with moderate difficulties regarding feeding behaviours in which 50.9% of them associated with moderate level and 49.1% associated with mild level of difficulties (M ± SD= 40.73 ± 2.361).

Conclusion: Most of the children with cancer are under 10 years, males, and at their school age. Only 2% of the children reported diabetes mellitus history. Children with cancer are associated with moderate difficulties regarding feeding behaviours.

Recommendations: Encourage parents to be careful about their children’s eating habits and eating styles. Establishment of health educational programs to enhance and promote the oral health among children with cancer in Iraq.

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