Prevalence of Malnutrition and Nutritional Knowledge Among Gynecologic Cancer Patients at Hung Vuong Hospital: A Cross-Sectional Study

Tóm tắt

   Background/Objectives: Malnutrition is a major concern among cancer patients, influencing treatment outcomes and overall survival. Limited research has been conducted on the nutritional status and nutritional knowledge of gynecologic cancer patients in Vietnam. This study aims to determine the prevalence of malnutrition, evaluate patients' nutritional knowledge, and analyze the association between malnutrition and epidemiological, clinical, and nutritional factors among gynecologic cancer patients at Hung Vuong Hospital.

   Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted at Hung Vuong Hospital in Vietnam. We recruited 319 female patients diagnosed with gynecologic cancer (ovarian, cervical, endometrial, or breast cancer). Data collection involved structured interviews, medical record reviews, and anthropometric assessments. We used the Body Mass Index (BMI) classification to evaluate malnutrition and a validated questionnaire to investigate nutritional knowledge. Statistical analysis included Chi-square tests and logistic regression models to identify factors associated with malnutrition and nutritional knowledge.

   Results: The prevalence of malnutrition (BMI <18.5 kg/m²) among participants was 7.8%, with younger patients (<50 years) being at higher risk (OR = 2.49, CI = 1.06–5.85, p = 0.036). Ovarian cancer patients had the highest malnutrition prevalence (10.5%), while endometrial cancer patients had the lowest (4.4%). Surprisingly, radiotherapy was associated with a lower risk of malnutrition (OR = 0.07, CI = 0.01–0.39, p = 0.007); however, this finding may be influenced by confounding factors and requires further investigation. Nearly 58.3% of participants demonstrated adequate nutritional knowledge, but misconceptions remained, particularly regarding excessive nutrition and its effects on tumor growth. Higher education levels and urban residency were significantly associated with better nutritional knowledge (p = 0.033 and p = 0.042, respectively).

   Conclusions: Malnutrition remains a problem among gynecologic cancer patients, particularly among younger individuals. While overall nutritional knowledge was moderate, gaps in comprehending dietary results on cancer advances emphasize the requirement for improved patient education programs. These findings underscore the importance of early nutritional screening, targeted education, and integration of dietary interventions into cancer treatment to enhance patient outcomes.

DOI: 10.59715/pntjmp.4.3.18