INVESTIGATING GENDER AND EDUCATION-BASED TOLERANCE OF CHEMOTHERAPY IN PATIENTS WITH CANCER: AN INSTITUTIONAL PERSPECTIVE
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.71000/59datf96Keywords:
Antineoplastic Agents; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; Educational Status; Medication Adherence; Neoplasms; Sex Factors; Treatment OutcomeAbstract
Background: Chemotherapy remains an essential treatment for many cancers, yet planned delivery is often affected by patient-related and treatment-related factors. Poor tolerance may lead to dose delays, dose reductions, or discontinuation, which can compromise treatment continuity. Gender and educational status may influence symptom reporting, health literacy, adherence, and timely use of supportive care. Identifying these associations may help oncology teams recognize vulnerable patients and provide more focused counselling, monitoring, and early toxicity management during chemotherapy treatment.
Objective: To evaluate the association of gender and educational status with chemotherapy tolerance among patients with cancer.
Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted at the Oncology Department of Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar, over six months. A total of 220 chemotherapy patients were included through consecutive sampling. Data were extracted from records using a structured proforma. Patients were grouped by gender and education. Tolerance was assessed through dose delays, dose reductions, discontinuation, and absence of interruption. SPSS version 26 was used for analysis. Chi-square or Fisher’s exact test was applied, with p < 0.05 considered significant.
Results: Mean age was 49.3 ± 13.6 years. Females were 140 (63.6%) and males were 80 (36.4%). No formal, primary/secondary, and higher education were reported in 70 (31.8%), 90 (40.9%), and 60 (27.3%) patients, respectively. Dose delays occurred in 68 (30.9%), dose reductions in 62 (28.2%), discontinuation in 40 (18.2%), and good tolerance in 110 (50.0%). Females had higher dose delays than males (37.9% vs 25.0%, p = 0.03) and lower good tolerance (44.3% vs 60.0%, p = 0.02). Higher education showed better tolerance than no formal education (81.7% vs 55.7%, p = 0.001).
Conclusion: Gender and educational status were associated with chemotherapy tolerance. Lower education and female gender identified patients who may require closer monitoring, simplified counselling, and stronger supportive care.
Keywords: Antineoplastic Agents; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; Educational Status; Medication Adherence; Neoplasms; Sex Factors; Treatment Outcome
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Copyright (c) 2026 Dr. Muhammad Tariq, Rahimullah Khattak, Qazi Muhammad Farooq , Dr. Bushra Malik , Dr Muhamamr Wasim Sattar , Dr. Maryam Bibi (Author)
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