(P13-033-23) Effect of Nutritional Counselling on the Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Among Egyptian Lung Cancer Patients

Objectives: Evaluating the effect of nutritional counseling on nutritional status, knowledge, attitude, and practice of lung cancer patients.

Methods: A single arm experimental trial was conducted on 90 patients with lung cancer on oncology therapy. A face to face interview with an individualized nutrition counselling was carried out. Patients were reassessed after 2-3 months after counselling, using Patient Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA), Karnofsky Performance Status Scale, and a questionnaire measuring knowledge, attitude and practice towards nutrition.

Results: The mean score for basic nutritional knowledge significantly increased from 33.8±27.7 to 73.7±32.8 post-intervention with mean change 39.9±25.4, P < 0.05. The mean score for positive attitude towards nutrition was significantly increased from 34.4±17.6 to 80.8±20.4 post-intervention with mean change 43.2±23.2, P < 0.05. About 40% of patients ate no snacks pre-intervention which was significantly decreased to 23.3% post-intervention, P < 0.05. The percentage of patients using margarine in cooking significantly decreased from 36.7% to 25.6% post-intervention. Post-intervention, there was a significant reduction regarding the frequency of eating margarine and fried food and a significant increase in number of servings of consumed milk, fruits and vegetables, P < 0.05. The percentage of malnutrition based on the Scored PG-SGA was significantly declined, P< 0.05 with a significant improvement in Karnofsky performance grades, P< 0.01.

Conclusions: Nutrition counseling was an effective method for improving nutritional status and knowledge, attitude, and practice of lung cancer patients in Egypt.

Funding Sources: No fund