Title of article
Multicenter Survey of Ramadan Fasting among Cancer Patient and Healthcare Professionals in the I.R. Iran
Author/Authors
Maleki ، Farzad - Tehran University of Medical Sciences , Rashidian ، Hamideh - Tehran University of Medical Sciences , Sasanfar ، Bahareh - Tehran University of Medical Sciences , Majidi ، Azam - Tehran University of Medical Sciences , Toorang ، Fatemeh - Tehran University of Medical Sciences , Nahvijou ، Azin - Tehran University of Medical Sciences , Homaei Shandiz ، Fatemeh - Mashahd University of Medical Sciences , Janbabaei ، Ghasem - Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences , Borhani ، Samaneh - Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences , Roshandel ، Gholamreza - Golestan University of Medical Sciences , Sedaghat ، Zahra - Bushehr University of Medical Sciences , Marzban ، Maryam - Bushehr University of Medical Science , Ghanbari Motalgh ، Ali - Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences , Mohammadzadeh ، Davood Partoo Radiotherapy Oncology Center , Kazemian ، Ali - Tehran University of Medical Sciences , Mohagheghi ، Mohammad Ali - Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences , Zendehdel ، Kazem - Tehran University of Medical Sciences
Pages
9
From page
3
To page
11
Abstract
Background: Muslim cancer patients and healthcare professionals face several challenges about the necessity of fasting and its possible side effects during the holy month of Ramadan. We aimed to study the prevalence of fasting among cancer patients during Ramadan and opinions of health care professionals about fasting among cancer patients in Iran. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey during the Ramadan (July-August) in 2013. Participants were 620 cancer patients and, 187 healthcare professionals in several cancer clinics from different provinces of Iran. We used self-administered questionnaires and collected data from patients, and healthcare professionals to collect data. We performed descriptive analysis by using Stata statistical software. Results: Out of 620 patients who participated in this study, 428 (69%) were women. 76 (13%) of patients had fasted for at least a day during Ramadan and, from which 41 (7%) had fasted whole months because of their religious belief. Among patients who had refrained from fasting, the reasons were lack of sufficient physical strength (403, 65%), excessive thirst (141, 23%). 275 (44%) of participants had consulted with their physician about fasting. We found that more than 50% of physicians advised against fasting for patients following surgery, pre-operation, recent hospitalization, and consumption of oral or intravenous chemotherapy. Most of the healthcare professionals (68%) believed that cancer survivors could not fast even if they have no signs or symptoms or side-effects after the treatment. Conclusion: Although most of the cancer patients refrain from fasting, some cancer patients practice fasting and face challenges during the holy month of Ramadan in Iran. Most patients consult about fasting in Ramadan with their doctor who has variable opinions about this issue. Development of guidelines for healthcare professional and cancer patients regarding Ramadan fasting is needed.
Keywords
Cancer patients , Behavior , Fasting , Ramadan , Clinician , Opinion , Iran
Journal title
Basic and Clinical Cancer Research
Serial Year
2018
Journal title
Basic and Clinical Cancer Research
Record number
2454104
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