Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40457371›Full record

ArticleBMC oral health2025

Oral health awareness, self-care practices, and lived experiences among cancer patients in Ethiopia: a mixed-methods study.

Tseganesh Asefa, Winta Tesfaye, Fethiya Seid Hasen, Habtu Kifle Negash, Mihret Getnet, Yihun Tefera Ayenew, Destaye Tirite Gelaw, Tirualem Zeleke Yehuala, Nebebe Demis Baykemagn, Hiwot Tezera Endale

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In one paragraph

Article in BMC oral health, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Tseganesh AsefaDepartment of Medical Nursing, School of Nursing, College of Medicine and Health Science, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia. tseganesh16@gmail.com.
Winta TesfayeDepartment of Human Physiology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
Fethiya Seid HasenDepartment of Medical Biochemistry, School of Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
Habtu Kifle NegashDepartment of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
Mihret GetnetDepartment of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
Yihun Tefera AyenewDepartment of Human Anatomy, School of Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
Destaye Tirite GelawDepartment of Human Anatomy, School of Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
Tirualem Zeleke YehualaDepartment of Health Informatics, Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
Nebebe Demis BaykemagnDepartment of Health Informatics, Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
Hiwot Tezera EndaleDepartment of Medical Biochemistry, School of Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionOral health is an important component of cancer care that is often neglected, particularly in low-resource settings. Cancer therapies, such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy have the potential to significantly enhance the risk of oral complications that severely affect the quality of life for patients. This study is aimed to evaluate the oral health awareness, self-care practices, and lived experiences of cancer patients in Ethiopia.

methodsA convergent parallel mixed-method study was carried out from February 6 to March 31, 2023, at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, Ethiopia. Quantitative data were collected from 422 cancer patients through structured interviews, and qualitative data were collected from 13 in-depth interviews using a phenomenological approach. Quantitative data were analysed using logistic regression, and qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis.

resultsOnly 44.5% of participants had good oral health awareness, and 38.4% had a good oral health self-care practice. Younger age (18-40 years), early-stage cancer, and receiving information from health professionals or family/friends were significantly associated with good awareness. Age (18-40 years) and positive attitude were significantly associated with good practices. Qualitative findings revealed two main themes. The first theme, "barriers to effective oral health practices" is subdivided into three subthemes ('physical challenges,' 'cultural myths and misconceptions,' and 'psycho-socioeconomic strain'), and the second theme, "resilience in oral care adaptation" classified in to two subthemes ('modified oral care routines' and 'support systems engagement'). CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS: This mixed-methods study showed suboptimal oral health awareness and self-care practices in cancer patients, influenced by age, cancer stage, attitude, and provider information. Cultural beliefs, emotional stress, pain, and resource deficiency also had an impact on oral health care. Regular oral health assessment and education must be integrated into oncology care, with training for providers to standardize care. Culturally appropriate materials in regional languages are required to dispel harmful myths. Economic obstacles can be overcome through subsidies or partnerships. Oral health is a component of national cancer guidelines as supportive care. The impact of these strategies on patient outcomes must be studied in future research.

Indexed as

Health Knowledge, Attitudes, PracticeNeoplasmsOral HealthSelf CareAdolescentAdultAgedEthiopiaFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedQualitative ResearchYoung AdultAwarenessCancer patientsEthiopiaLived experiencesOral healthSelf-care practices

Identifiers

PMID40457371
PMCPMC12131530

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.