The Process Of Organizing And Synthesizing

Published Date: 02 Nov 2017

INTRODUCTION

Analysis is the process of organizing and synthesizing the data so as to answer research questions and test hypothesis. Interpretation is the process of making sense of the results of a study and examining their implications.

This chapter presents the analysis and interpretation of the data collected as per the objectives stated earlier and is also tested based on the findings of statistical analysis of data gathered for this study viz descriptive analysis and inferential analysis.

DESCRIPTIVE ANALYSIS OF SAMPLE

Descriptive analysis is the use of statistics to describe the results of an experiment or investigation.

The data was collected, entered in the master sheet and analysis was done. The findings are presented under the following headings

SECTION-I : Frequency and percentage distribution of patients undergoing chemotherapy by their demographic variables.

SECTION-II : Frequency and percentage distribution of assessment of oral health of patients undergoing chemotherapy before and after implementing specified oral hygiene routine.

SECTION-III : Comparison of pre and post interventional level of oral health among patients undergoing chemotherapy.

SECTION-IV : Association of post interventional level of oral health of patients undergoing chemotherapy with selected demographic variables.

SECTION-I

FREQUENCY AND PERCENTAGE DISTRIBUTION OF PATIENTS UNDERGOING CHEMOTHERAPY BY THEIR DEMOGRAPHIC VARIABLES

Table 1.0: Frequency and percentage distribution of patients undergoing chemotherapy by their demographic variables with regard to age (in years), sex, educational status and occupation.

N=60

S.No.

Demographic variables

Frequency

Percentage (%)

1.

2.

3.

4.

Age

20 - 29 years

30 - 39 years

40 - 49 years

50 - 60 years

Sex

Male

Female

Educational status

Non literate

Primary schooling

Secondary schooling

Higher secondary schooling

Graduate and above

Occupation

Employed

Unemployed

If employed

Self employed

Government job

Private

1

14

14

31

 

29

31

 

1

7

9

10

33

41

19

 

7

25

9

1.67

23.33

23.33

51.67

 

48.33

51.67

 

1.67

11.67

15.00

16.67

55.00

68.33

31.67

 

11.67

41.67

15.00

Table 1.0 shows that majority of the samples were between the age group of 50 to 60 years (51.67%), were female (51.67%), were graduates (55%) and were employed (68.33%).

Table 1.1: Frequency and percentage distribution of patients undergoing chemotherapy by their demographic variables with regard to monthly income, marital status and personal habits

N=60

S. No.

Demographic variables

Frequency

Percentage (%)

5.

6.

7.

Monthly income

Up to Rs.5000

Rs.5001 - Rs.10,000

Rs.10,001 - Rs.20,000

Above Rs.20,000

Marital status

Unmarried

Married

Widow / Widower

Divorced

Personal habits

Tobacco chewing

Betal chewing

Smoking

Both (a) and (b)

None of the above

5

19

31

5

 

1

59

0

0

2

1

17

5

35

8.33

31.67

51.67

8.33

 

1.67

98.33

0.00

0.00

3.33

1.67

28.33

8.33

58.33

Table 1.1 shows that majority of the samples were earning from Rs.10,001 to Rs.20000/- per month (51.67%), were married (98.3%) and (28.3%) have the practice of smoking.

Table 1.2: Frequency and percentage distribution of patients undergoing chemotherapy with regard to duration of illness, part affected, and treatment.

N=60

S.No.

Clinical variables

Frequency

Percentage (%)

1.

2.

3.

Duration of present illness

Less than 3 months

3 months - 1 year

1 - 2 years

2 - 5 years

Above 5 years

Which part of your body is affected?

Cervix

Prostate

Breast

Stomach

Colon

Lungs

Brain

Uterus

Kidney

Type of treatment modality

Chemotherapy after surgery

Chemotherapy alone

13

34

10

3

0

 

9

7

14

8

2

10

5

2

3

 

34

26

21.67

56.67

16.67

5.00

0.00

 

15.00

11.67

23.33

13.33

3.33

16.67

8.33

3.33

5.00

 

56.67

43.33

Table 1.2 shows that majority of the samples had the duration of illness of 3 months to one year (56.67%), had breast cancer (23.3%), and had chemotherapy after surgery (56.67%).

Table 1.3: Frequency and percentage distribution of patients undergoing chemotherapy with regard to duration of chemotherapy, cycle of chemotherapy, measures taken for reducing oral ulcer and treatment taken for oral ulcer because of other conditions

N=60

S.No.

Demographic variables

Frequency

Percentage (%)

4.

5.

6.

7.

Duration of chemotherapy?

1 - 6 months

6 months - 1 year

1 - 1 1/2 years

1 1/2 - 2 years

More than 2 years

Cycle of chemotherapy

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

5th

6th

Measures taken for reducing oral ulcer

Using oral medication prescribed in the hospital

Using home remedial measures

Not taking any measures

Treated for oral ulcer because of the following conditions

Anemia

Vitamin deficiency

Local burns

Medications for a long time

None of the above

35

18

5

2

0

 

2

2

8

25

13

10

 

48

1

11

0

0

0

0

60

58.33

30.00

8.33

3.33

0.00

 

3.33

3.33

13.33

41.67

21.67

16.67

 

80.00

1.67

18.33

0

0

0

0

100

Table 1.3 shows that majority of the samples had the duration of chemotherapy of less than 6 months (58.33%), were undergoing 4th cycle of chemotherapy (41.67%), were using the oral medications prescribed in hospital for reducing oral ulcer (80%) and all the 60 samples in the study were not treated for oral ulcer because of other conditions.

SECTION-II

Table: 2.0 Frequency and percentage distribution of assessment of oral health of patients undergoing chemotherapy before and after implementing specified oral hygiene routine

N =60

S.

No.

Assessment of oral health

Pre-test

Post-test

Frequency

Percentage (%)

Frequency

Percentage (%)

1.

2.

3.

Redness

No changes

Slight redness

Moderate redness

Severe redness

Ulcer

No ulcer

Presence of 1 – 4 ulcer

Presence of greater than 4 ulcers

Presence of greater than 1 confluent ulcer

Bleeding

No bleeding

Bleeding of mucosa with probing

Bleeding of mucosa even while consuming food/ fluids

Spontaneous bleeding

-

30

29

1

39

20

-

1

40

20

-

-

0

50

48.33

1.66

65

33.33

0

1.66

66.66

33.33

0

0

27

31

2

-

46

14

-

-

59

1

-

-

45

51

3.33

0

76.66

23.33

0

0

98.33

1.66

0

0

Table 2.0 shows that in the pre-test majority of the samples had moderate redness of the oral cavity (48.33%), had ulcer (1 – 4 ulcers) (33.3%), and had bleeding of the mucosa with probing (33.33%).

The post test showed that majority of the samples had slight redness (51%), had no ulcers (76.6%) and had no bleeding of the oral mucosa (98.33%).

Table: 2.1 Frequency and percentage distribution of assessment of oral health of patients undergoing chemotherapy before and after implementing specified oral hygiene routine

N =60

S.

No.

Assessment of oral health

Pre-test

Post-test

Frequency

Percentage (%)

Frequency

Percentage (%)

4.

5.

6.

Salivation

Watery / moist mucosa

Thick saliva

Dry mouth

Severe dryness of mouth

Pain/ discomfort

No pain/ discomfort

Mild discomfort / burning sensation

Moderate continual pain

Constant severe pain

Food intake

No changes in food intake

Able to consume soft bland food

Able to consume liquid diet only

Alimentation not possible

1

40

18

1

-

43

17

-

-

59

1

-

1.66

66.66

30

1.66

0

71.6

28.33

0

0

98.33

1.66

0

39

21

-

-

22

38

-

-

1

58

1

-

65

35

0

0

36.66

63.33

0

0

1.66

96.66

1.66

0

Table 2.1 shows that in the pre-test, majority of the samples had thick salivation (66.66%), had mild discomfort/ pain (71.6%), and were able to consume only soft bland food (98.33%).

The post test showed that majority of the samples had watery/ moist oral mucosa (65%), had mild discomfort/ pain (63.33%), and were able to consume only soft bland food (96.66%).

Table: 2.2 Frequency and percentage distribution of assessment of oral health of patients undergoing chemotherapy before and after implementing specified oral hygiene routine

N=60

S.

No

Level of Oral Health

Pre-test

Post-test

Frequency

Percentage

(%)

Frequency

Percentage

(%)

2.b

Level of Oral Health

Good

Fair

Poor

Very poor

0

47

13

0

0

78.33

21.67

0

1

59

0

0

1.67

98.33

0

0

Table 2.2 shows that in the pre-test, majority of the patients (78.33%) had fair oral health and 21.67% had poor oral health.

The post-test shows that majority of the patients (98.33%) had fair oral health, and (1.67%) had good oral health.

Figure 2. Percentage distribution of level of oral health among patients undergoing chemotherapy before and after implementing specified oral hygiene routine.

SECTION-III

Effectiveness of specified oral hygiene routine on oral health among patients undergoing chemotherapy

Table 3.0: Comparison of pre and post interventional level of oral health among patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Level of Oral Health

Mean

Standard deviation

‘t’ Value

Pre test

Post test

5.87

2.87

1.78

1.44

t = 19.247

p = 0.000

Table 3.0 shows that there is significant difference between (pre and post-test level of oral health) i.e. the level of oral health before and after implementing specified oral hygiene routine. Since p value is less than 0.001, the ‘t’ value is highly significant at the level of p<0.001. Therefore H1 is accepted.

SECTION-IV

Association of Post- test level of oral health among patients undergoing chemotherapy with their selected demographic and clinical variables

Table 4.0: Association of post interventional level of oral health with demographic variables with regard to age (in years), educational status, and personal habits of patients undergoing chemotherapy.

N=60

S.No.

Demographic variables

Good

Fair

Chi square test

Frequency

Percentage

(%)

Frequency

Percentage (%)

1.

2.

3.

Age

20 - 29 years

30 - 39 years

40 - 49 years

50 - 60 years

Educational status

Non literate

Primary schooling

Secondary schooling

Higher secondary schooling

Graduate and above

Do you have the practice?

Tobacco chewing

Betal chewing

Smoking

Both (a) and (b)

None of the above

0

1

0

0

0

1

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

1

0

1.7

0

0

0

1.7

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

1.7

1

13

14

31

1

6

9

10

33

2

1

17

5

34

1.7

21.7

23.3

51.7

1.7

10.0

15.0

16.7

55.0

3.3

1.7

28.3

8.3

56.7

3.341

p = 0.342

7.700

p = 0.103

0.726

p = 0.948

Table 4.0 shows that there is no significant association between post interventional level of oral health and demographic variables with regard to age, educational status and their personal habits of patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Table 4.1: Association of post interventional level of oral health with clinical variables with regard to duration of illness, part of the body affected and the type of treatment modality of patients undergoing chemotherapy.

N=60

S.

No.

Clinical variables

Good

Fair

Chi square test

Frequency

Percentage

(%)

Frequency

Percentage (%)

1.

2.

3.

Duration of illness

Less than 3 months

3 months - 1 year

1 - 2 years

2 - 5 years

Above 5 years

Part of body affected

Cervix

Prostate

Breast

Stomach

Colon

Lungs

Brain

Uterus

Kidney

Type of treatment

Chemotherapy after surgery

Chemotherapy alone

0

0

1

0

-

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

1

0

1

0

0

1.7

0

1.7

0

1.7

0

0

-

0

0

0

1.7

0

1.7

13

34

9

3

-

9

7

14

8

2

10

5

1

3

34

25

21.7

56.7

15.0

5.0

-

15.0

11.7

23.3

13.3

3.3

16.7

8.3

1.7

5.0

56.7

41.7

5.085

p = 0.166

19.322

p = 0.063

0.1.330

p = 0.249

Table 4.1 shows that there is no significant association between post interventional level of oral health and clinical variables with regard to duration of illness, part of body affected and type of treatment modality

Table 4.2: Association of post interventional level of oral health with clinical variables with regard to duration and cycles of chemotherapy, measures taken for reducing ulcer and previous history of oral ulcer of patients undergoing chemotherapy.

N=60

S.

No.

Clinical variables

Good

Fair

Chi square test

Frequency

Percentage

(%)

Frequency

Percentage (%)

4.

5.

6.

7.

Duration of chemotherapy

1 - 6 months

6 months - 1 year

1 - 1 1/2 years

1 1/2 - 2 years

More than 2 years

Cycle of chemotherapy

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

5th

6th

Measures taken for ulcer

Oral medication prescribed in the hospital

Home remedial measures

Not taking any measure

Previous treatment of oral ulcer

Anemia

Vitamin deficiency

Local burns

Taking medications for a period of long time

None of the above

0

1

0

0

-

0

0

0

0

1

0

1

0

0

-

-

-

-

1

0

1.7

0

0

-

0

0

0

0

1.7

0

1.7

0

0

-

-

-

-

1.7

35

17

5

2

-

2

2

8

25

12

10

47

1

11

-

-

-

-

59

58.3

28.3

8.3

3.3

-

3.3

3.3

13.3

41.7

20.0

16.7

78.3

1.7

18.3

-

-

-

-

98.3

2.373

p = 0.499

3.677

p = 0.597

0.254

p = 0.881

-

Table 4.2 shows that there is no significant association between post interventional level of oral health and clinical variables with regard to duration and number of cycles of chemotherapy, measures taken for reducing oral ulcer and the previous history of oral ulcer of any other cause of patients undergoing chemotherapy.

CHAPTER-V

DISCUSSION

This study aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of specified oral hygiene routine on oral health of patients undergoing chemotherapy in selected hospitals.

A total of 60 samples were selected by non – probability sampling method. The demographic data was collected and then the pre interventional level of oral health was assessed by using the oral health assessment tool. The specified oral hygiene routine was practiced regularly by the patients as advised for a period of five days. On the fifth day again the level of oral health was reassessed by using the same oral health assessment tool.

The score for assessing the level of oral health was interrupted as follows:

0 – Good oral health

1 – 7 Fair oral health

8 – 14 Poor oral health

15 – 18 Very poor oral health

The data were tabulated and analysed by using descriptive and inferential statistics and the results were interrupted.

The descriptions of sample characteristics were as follows:

51.67% of the patients belonged to the age group of 50- 60 years, 23.33% of patients belonged to 40-49 years and 30 – 39 years and 1.67% of the patients belonged to the age group of 20-29 years.

52% of the patients were female and 48% of the patients were males.

55% of the patients were graduates, 16.67% of the patients belonged to Higher secondary schooling, 15% of the patients belonged to secondary schooling, 11.67% of the patients belonged to primary schooling and 1.67% of the patients were illiterate.

68.33% of the patients were employed while, 31.67% of the patients were unemployed. Of the patients who were employed 41.67% of the patients have government job, 15% were working under private institutions and 11.67% were self- employed.

51.67% of the patients belonged to the income group Rs10, 001- Rs20,000/month, 31.67% of the patients belonged to Rs5001- Rs10, 000/month and 8.33% of the patients belonged to the income group of less than Rs5000 and above Rs20, 000/month.

98% of the patients in the study were married and 2% of them were married.

28.33% of the patients had practice of smoking, 8.33% had practice of both tobacco chewing and betal chewing, 3.33% had the practice of tobacco chewing, 1.67% had the practice of betal chewing and 58.33% of the patients had no habits of smoking, betal and tobacco chewing.

56.67% of the patients had the duration of illness of 3 months to 1 year, 21.67% of them had duration of less than 3 months, 16.67% of them had the duration of 1 -2 years and 5% of them had the duration of more than 5 years.

23.33% of the patients were affected with breast cancer, 16.67% were affected with lung cancer, 15% were affected with cervical cancer, 13.33% were affected with stomach cancer, 11.67% were affected with cancer of prostate, 8.33% were affected with brain tumor, 5% were affected with tumor of kidney and 3.33% were affected with uterine cancer.

56.67% of the patient’s had undergone chemotherapy after surgery, and 43.3% of them were admitted in the hospital for chemotherapy alone.

58.33% of the patients had undergone chemotherapy of less than 6 months, 30% of them had undergone chemotherapy for 6 months to 1 year, 8.33% of them had undergone chemotherapy for 1 to 11/2 year and 3.33% for 11/2 to 2 years. .

41.67% of the patients were receiving 4th cycle of chemotherapy, 21.67 were receiving 5th cycle of chemotherapy, 16.67% were receiving 6th cycle of chemotherapy, 13.33% were receiving 3rd cycle of chemotherapy and 3.33% were receiving 1st and 2nd cycle of chemotherapy.

80% of the patients were using the oral medications prescribed in hospital for reducing oral ulcer, 18.33% were not taking any measures and 1.67% was using home remedial measures for reducing oral ulcer.

All 60 samples in the study were not treated for oral ulcer because of any condition other than chemotherapy.

The discussion is based on the objectives specified in the study:

The first objective was to assess the oral health of the patients undergoing chemotherapy before implementing specified oral hygiene routine.

The oral health was assessed using the oral health assessment tool. Table 2.0, 2.1 and 2.2 revealed that before implementing the specified oral hygiene routine, majority (78.3%) of the patients had "fair oral health", 21.67% (13) of the patients had "poor oral health" and none of the patients belonged to "good" and "very poor" category. These findings revealed that all the patients undergoing chemotherapy had reduced oral health.

This result was supported by the study conducted by Ohrn,k.(2001) regarding the assessment of the oral health and experiences of oral care among patients receiving chemotherapy and from the study it was found that the patients receiving chemotherapy experienced increasing oral symptoms and complications affecting the oral health of these patients.

The second objective was to implement the specified oral hygiene routine among the patients undergoing chemotherapy.

The investigator gave instructions to the patients undergoing chemotherapy on specified oral hygiene routine to follow regularly for a period of about five days which includes the instructions regarding tooth brushing, rinsing the oral cavity, lip care, fluid intake and preventing injury to the oral mucosa.

The level of practice of this specified oral hygiene routine is assessed regularly by using a semi structured questionnaire and ensured that the patients had adequate practice of specified oral hygiene routine.

The third objective was to assess the oral health of the patients undergoing chemotherapy after implementing specified oral hygiene routine.

The post interventional level of oral health was also assessed by using the same oral health assessment tool. Table 2.0, 2.1 and 2.2 revealed that 1.67% (1) patient had "good oral health", Majority (98.33%) of the patients had "fair oral health", and none of the patients belonged to "poor" and "very poor" category. These findings clearly revealed that the oral health of the patients undergoing chemotherapy is improved after the practice of specified oral hygiene routine.

This was supported by the study conducted by Rowlins and Trueman, (2001) the study findings reported that patient’s oral health increased with the frequency and practice of oral hygiene regimen.

This was also supported by Beck (2009) in her non – randomised study on 47 patients undergoing cytotoxic chemotherapy, found that oral care performed 4 times daily resulted in 50% fewer oral infections and improving oral health than a control group.

The fourth objective was to assess the effectiveness of specified oral hygiene routine on oral health of the patients undergoing chemotherapy

Statistical analysis on comparison of pre-intervention and post-intervention level of oral health revealed that specified oral hygiene routine was effective in improving oral health of the patients undergoing chemotherapy in selected hospitals as there was significant reduction in mean score from 5.87 to 2.87.The post intervention mean score was lesser than pre intervention mean score.. The ‘t’ value19.247 was highly significant at the level of (p=0.000) as shown in table 3.0. So the results indicated that the specified oral hygiene routine was effective in improving oral health among patients undergoing chemotherapy.

This was supported by the study conducted by Paul Sulima (2011), she examined the effects of a systemic program of oral care on oral assessment scores in patients receiving chemotherapy. The study results showed that, oral assessment scores improved after nurses implemented a protocol for systemic oral care.

This was also supported by the study conducted by Ellie Vershvovsky (2010), in this study the researcher examined the effectiveness of an evidence based oral care protocol in patients receiving chemotherapy, the oral care protocol implemented was compared to evaluate the effectiveness. The study findings showed that patients receiving chemotherapy benefited from an oral care protocol.

With the above results, the investigator’s first hypothesis (H1) that "specified oral hygiene routine will be effective in improving the oral health of patients undergoing chemotherapy" is proved to be correct.

5. The fifth objective was to associate the selected demographic and clinical variables with the oral health of patients undergoing chemotherapy

Statistically , no significant association was found between the demographic variables such as age, educational status, personal habits, number of days admitted in the hospital, duration of illness, part of body affected with cancer, type of treatment modality, duration of chemotherapy, number of cycles of chemotherapy, measures taken for reducing oral ulcer and previous history of oral ulcer of any other The chi square value is greater than P value .Hence no significant association was found between the post interventional level of oral health with selected demographic variables.

With the above results, the investigator’s fourth hypothesis (H2) that "there will be a significant association between post interventional level of oral health of patients undergoing chemotherapy and their selected demographic and clinical variables" is not accepted.

CHAPTER - VI

SUMMARY, CONCLUSION, IMPLICATIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

SUMMARY

The objective of the study was to assess the effectiveness of specified oral hygiene routine on oral health of patients undergoing chemotherapy in selected hospital settings.

A quasi experimental research design was chosen in which one group pre-test post-test was taken to assess the effectiveness of specified oral hygiene routine on oral health of patients undergoing chemotherapy. The review of literature provided the base and in depth knowledge for the development of the tool. The content validity of the tool was obtained from experts and the reliability was determined through the pilot study.

The study was conducted in selected hospitals in Chennai, viz Dr. Kamatchi Memorial Hospital, V.S. Cancer Hospital and Southern Railways Headquarters Hospital with prior permission obtained from each hospital. The study was conducted among the patients undergoing chemotherapy in the hospitals. Using the oral health assessment tool, the oral mucosa of the patients observed and their oral health was assessed The patients were then given education on the specified oral hygiene routine and advised to follow it regularly for a period of about five days. The practice of this specified oral hygiene routine among these patients was also checked regularly by using the semi structured questionnaire. On the 5th day again the oral health was assessed using the same oral health assessment tool. The data was collected, tabulated, analysed and interpreted. The findings revealed that there was significant difference on the level of oral health of patients undergoing chemotherapy after following specified oral hygiene

The significant findings of the study were as follows:

51.67% of the patients belonged to the age group of 50- 60 years.

52% of the patients were female.

55% of the patients were graduates.

68.33% of the patients were employed

51.67% of the patients belonged to the income group Rs10, 001- Rs20, 000,

98% of the patients in the study were married

58.33% of the patients had no habits of smoking, betal and tobacco chewing.

56.67% of the patients had the duration of illness of 3 months to 1 year,

23.33% of the patients were affected with breast cancer,

56.67% of the patient’s had undergone chemotherapy after surgery.

58.33% of the patients had undergone chemotherapy of less than 6 months,

41.67% of the patients were receiving 4th cycle of chemotherapy

80% of the patients were using the oral medications prescribed in hospital for reducing oral ulcer

All 60 samples in the study were not treated for oral ulcer because of any condition other than chemotherapy.

The pre - test score of the level of oral health was

48.33% of the patients had moderate redness

33.33% of the patients had 1 – 4 ulcers

33.33% of the patients had bleeding of the oral mucosa with probing

66.66% of the patients had thick salivation of oral cavity

71.6% of the patients had mild discomfort

98.33% of the patients were able to consume only soft bland food.

78.33% of the patients had fair oral health

21.67% of the patients had poor oral health

The post test score of level of oral health are

3.3% of the patients only had moderate redness

23.33% of the patients only had 1 – 4 ulcers

1.66% of the patients only had bleeding of the oral mucosa with probing

35% of the patients only had thick salivation of oral cavity

63.33% of the patients had mild discomfort

96.66% of the patients were able to consume only soft bland food.

1.67% of the patients had good oral health

98.33% of the patients had fair oral health

There was a significant improvement in the level of oral health after implementation of specified oral hygiene routine and the "t" value was 19.247, which is highly significant at 1% level (p< 0.000)

There was no association between post interventional level of oral health with selected demographic variables at 5% level of significance.

CONCLUSION

The study was conducted to assess the effectiveness of specified oral hygiene routine on oral health of patients undergoing chemotherapy in selected hospital settings. After practicing specified oral hygiene routine there was a significant (p<0.001) improvement in level of oral health of patients undergoing chemotherapy. This proves that specified oral hygiene routine is effective in improving oral health of patients undergoing chemotherapy.

The study findings gave an insight to the investigator about the specified oral hygiene routine in improving the oral health of the patients undergoing chemotherapy.

NURSING IMPLICATIONS

NURSING PRACTICE

The study findings indicate that specified oral hygiene routine can be included as a part of routine care for improving oral health for the patients undergoing chemotherapy.

A health education module on oral hygiene can be prepared and used by nurses for patients undergoing chemotherapy to improve oral health.

NURSING EDUCATION

The nurse educator can teach the student/staff regarding the use of specified oral hygiene routine for improving oral health. This helps them to be aware of these interventions and also implement them in clinical practice among patients with cancer undergoing chemotherapy.

The nurse educators can demonstrate the assessment of oral health among the students so as to guide them for their effective care in clinical practice in caring for the patients undergoing chemotherapy.

The nurse educators can conduct awareness program on the importance of oral health of patients undergoing chemotherapy in the hospitals, so as to disseminate the importance of oral hygiene among the patients.

NURSING ADMINISTRATION

The nurses can be educated about the techniques and importance of specified oral hygiene routine through in-service education, workshop and demonstration classes.

Nursing administrators can participate in formulating oral care protocols for patients undergoing chemotherapy in improving oral health.

Nurse administrator can offer education to nursing practioners to enhance their confidence and competence with mouth care interventions.

NURSING RESEARCH:

Further studies can be done on various other measures for improving oral health among patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Research studies can be done to compare the occurrence of oral problems between the compliance and non – compliance of specified oral hygiene routine among patients undergoing chemotherapy

RECOMMENDATIONS

Keeping the findings of the present study in view, the following recommendations are made

The study can be conducted on a large sample among patients undergoing chemotherapy to generalize the findings..

The study can also be conducted among patients undergoing radiotherapy

A true experimental study can be conducted with experimental group and control group to support the study results.

A comparative study can be conducted to prove the effectiveness of specified oral hygiene routine versus aloe vera, cryotherapy, glycerine and sodium bicarbonate solution.

LIMITATIONS

There was no limitation faced by the investigator during the course of the study.