Dietary Practices and Nutritional Status of Adult Cancer Patients: A Case Study of Texas Cancer Center, Kenya

Background: Cancer remains a significant public health challenge globally, with profound impact on patients' nutritional status. Despite the critical role of nutrition in cancer care, there is a notable research gap regarding the specific dietary practices and nutritional status of cancer patients in Kenya. Therefore, this study focused on examining the dietary practices and nutritional status of adult cancer patients at the Texas Cancer Center in Kenya.

Methods: The study employed analytical cross-sectional research design, with a sample size of 384 adult cancer patients through systematic sampling, at an interval of two participants. Nutritional status was assessed using the BMI, while dietary practices were assessed using a dietary diversity score, food frequency questionnaire, and meal frequency. Data was analyzed using the software 'STATA version 17', incorporating descriptive statistics such as mean, mode, and percentages. Inferential statistics (Pearson’s chi-square) and logistics regression were used to test for associations between nutrition status and dietary practices. Bivariate regression (Crude odds ratio- COR) was done to establish, and dietary factors with a p-value of <0.05 were subjected to multivariate regression (Adjusted odds ratio- AOR) to establish the predictors of dietary practices and nutritional status.

Results: The findings revealed that only 41% (n=157) of participants exhibited optimal nutrition status, with more than half of the respondents being malnourished. The overweight respondents accounted for 28%, while those underweight and obese were at 17% and 14% respectively. Among the respondents, 96% (n=369) had three meals or more per day, with only 15 (4%) having less than three meals a day, hence 104 respondents (27%) had a low dietary diversity score. Dietary patterns (AOR=0.55; CI, 0.15-1.13; p- value= 0.032) had a significant association with the nutritional status of the respondents.

Conclusion: This study established the need for regular nutrition screening of all cancer patients to enhance their healthcare management by providing them the need based nutritional support.