Abstract:
Background: COVID-19 is a global pandemic and strict preventive measures were introduced
with the rapid spread of infection. The risk of infection is high among patients with cancers due
to low immunity and disease manifestation. Adherence to COVID-19 preventive measures is
vital to reduce complications and improve the survival rate of patients with cancer.
Objectives: To assess awareness and practice of adherence to COVID-19 preventive behaviours
among patients with cancers at the National Cancer Institute, Sri Lanka.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among randomly selected 422
adult patients with cancers attending the National Cancer Institute, Sri Lanka for treatment. Data
were collected using a pre-tested, interviewer-administered questionnaire based on demographic
data, awareness, and practice of adherence to COVID-19 preventive behaviors. Data were
analyzed using SPSS version 25.0.
Results: Mean (SD) age of participants is 50.2 (15.5) years. The majority (75.6%) were
female, Sinhalese (79.1%), and educated above the G.C.E. A/L (45.0%). Highly prevalent
cancer types in the sample were breast (24.2%), gastrointestinal (17.5%), head and neck
(13.7%) and lung (8.1%) cancers and 32.5% represent 1st stage of cancer. Chemotherapy
(42.2%), radiotherapy (23.5%) and surgery 73 (17.3%) were the main treatment methods. The
majority (98.1%) shows a good level of awareness and practice (77.3%) of adherence to
COVID-19 preventive behaviours. While the level of awareness was associated with gender
(p=0.011) and types of cancer (p<0.001), the level of practice was associated with gender
(p=0.021), marital status (p=0.003), religion (p<0.001), nationality (p=0.002), education level
(p<0.001), stage of cancer (p=0.035), and treatment method (p=0.003).
Conclusions: Awareness and practice of adherence to COVID-19 preventive behaviours are
satisfactory among patients with cancers. Strategies need to be taken to continue to maintain
safe behaviour to minimize the risk of getting coronavirus infection.