Evaluation of fatigue and physical activity among adult cancer patients receiving chemotherapy at selected district hospital of Rwanda

Abstract

Background: Cancer is defined as a group of diseases characterized by the uncontrolled growth and spread of cancer cells. Cancer patients receiving chemotherapy experience most clinically fatigue than other symptoms, which interferes with their general physical activity. Several studies have shown the benefits of physical activity on fatigue during and after chemotherapy treatment. The aim of this study is to evaluate fatigue and physical activity level among adult cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. Methods: A cross-sectional study design with a non-experimental quantitative approach was used to meet the objectives of the study. A systematic sampling technique was used to select a sample of 154 participants among patients on chemotherapy at Butaro hospital. The data were analyzed quantitatively and where necessary relationship between fatigue, physical activity and socio-demographic variables were reported at 0.05 margin error and 95% confidence interval. Results: The results showed least level of fatigue among study participants (66%), most of the participants were reported to be active on physical activity scale. Fatigue was reported to be associated with interference to general activities (P=0.00). Most socio-demographic variables were reported not to be associated with the levels of fatigue as well as physical activity. Conclusion and recommendation: Majority of the study participants reported to suffer from breast cancer and the least level of fatigue among patients on chemotherapy was reported. It was also realized that participants were active on physical activity scale. The targeted interventions to maintain physical activity levels of the participants are encouraged to sustain and improve the current situation