Health behavior changes of cholangiocarcinoma patients after diagnosis in phrae province

Abstract

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) has rendered a cause of death in Phrae province. Health behavior changes of CCA patients might affect the patient’s length of survival and quality of life. The objectives of this study were to investigate health behavior changes in CCA patients after the diagnosis, to compare behavior changes of patients between before and after diagnoses, and to study the roles of their family members in changing health behaviors of patients. This descriptive study was performed to recruit 180 patients’ information through a questionnaire on CCA. The questionnaire was designed based on the review of relevant literature and the CCA screening guideline of the Ministry of Public Health. The results of this study showed the changing behaviors of CCA patients between pre- and post- diagnoses had statistical significant differences (P<0.05). Those differences of mean scores were food consumption behaviors after the diagnosis increased from 3.98 to 4.69, behaviors of exercise and relaxation increased from 1.23 to 3.67, social behaviors increased from 1.12 to 3.62, and health care behaviors increased from 0.28 to 0.34. Regarding the role of the patients upon their family’s health behaviors after the diagnosis, the CCA patients treated their family members better in terms of warning their family to avoid consuming raw foods. The family members also played a key role in behavior changing by the CCA patients. These data were clearly demonstrated the CCA patients had better in overall health behavior changes after the diagnosis. The patients concerned keeping away from high risk food consumption, taking more exercise and relax, gathering with family members but slightly having activities with friends. Moreover, the CCA patients consumed less alcohol and smoking. The factors related with behavior changes in the CCA patients were the supports from their family members and social in term of the helpful knowledge and inspiration from government officers. The finding from this study is able to use as basic information for public health officers and related persons, as a guideline on health education for taking care of CCA patients after diagnosis.