Experiences of newly diagnosed oral cancer patients during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative study from Pakistan

Journal article

Khattak, M., Khattak, Saad Ishaq, Khan, Muslim, Khan, Z., Dikomitis, L., Ul-Haq, Z. and Saddki, N. 2022. Experiences of newly diagnosed oral cancer patients during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative study from Pakistan. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 19 (14), p. 8508. https://doi.org/1660-4601/19/14/8508
AuthorsKhattak, M., Khattak, Saad Ishaq, Khan, Muslim, Khan, Z., Dikomitis, L., Ul-Haq, Z. and Saddki, N.
AbstractThe COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in the scaling back or postponement of non-emergency hospital services, including care of cancer patients. The present qualitative study explored the experiences of newly diagnosed oral cancer patients during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Pakistan. Patients who attended the Department of Maxillofacial Surgery, Khyber College of Dentistry in July 2020 were selected using a maximum variation purposive sampling method. Seventeen semi-structured interviews were conducted in Pashto, the local language of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. All interviews were audiotaped, transcribed verbatim, and translated into English. Thematic content analysis yielded eight major themes: pain and generalised physical weakness, shock at diagnosis, psychological distress of the COVID-19 pandemic, faith and religion, double hit loss of employment, social isolation, social support from caregivers, and lack of support from health care professionals. In conclusion, the COVID-19 pandemic has a clear impact on the life experiences of newly diagnosed oral cancer patients. Distress due to delay in accessing health care and lack of support from health care providers are a matter of great concern. Appropriate interventions should be introduced to ensure psychological and social support strategies are in place for patients during interruptions of health care services.
KeywordsPakistan; Health care; Oral cancer; Social support; Covid-19; Mouth neoplasms; Pandemics; COVID-19
Year2022
JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Journal citation19 (14), p. 8508
PublisherMDPI
ISSN1661-7827
1660-4601
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/1660-4601/19/14/8508
Official URLhttps://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/19/14/8508
FunderKhyber Medical University
Publication dates
Online12 Jul 2022
Publication process dates
Accepted09 Jul 2022
Deposited19 May 2023
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Output statusPublished
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https://repository.canterbury.ac.uk/item/949zw/experiences-of-newly-diagnosed-oral-cancer-patients-during-the-first-wave-of-the-covid-19-pandemic-a-qualitative-study-from-pakistan

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