Duration of Chemotherapy and Sexuality among

Female Breast Cancer Patients

A research paper

presented to the

Chinese General Hospital College of Nursing

In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Leader

Pangilinan, Jorge Jr. C.

Members

King, Carmellie C. Ramos, Jizel Carla C.

Maniquis, Jamie Marianne C. Revilla, Ana Marie Teresita B.

Noto, Mary Ann P. Reyes, Jedelle Anne G.

Ong, Lawrence Edward P. Tiongco, Mary Felianne M.

Rabano, Charmaigne Anne Kissyfur G.

3C Group 5
 ABSTRACT

Breast cancer is the second most common type of cancer and the second
leading cause of deaths in women (Thors et al., 2001). Being so, it is but
important to explore more about the disease process and its effect on
humanity, most significantly to the women.

The use of chemotherapy for breast cancer has increased dramatically

since the 1980s, and many investigators have examined the effects of adjuvant
chemotherapy on sexual functioning. Breast cancer mortality declined in the
1990s by the largest amount in over 65 years, with the five year survival rate now
reaching 97% for women diagnosed at an early stage of disease (Thors et al.,
2001).

The purpose of the study was to know the mean duration of chemotherapy
undertaken by female breast cancer patients 18-70 years old and the mean
sexuality scores of the same respondents on the 12 subscales of the
Multidimensional Sexuality Questionnaire (MSQ). Moreover, the study sought to
identify whether undergoing chemotherapy, with or without a combination of any
treatments or surgeries for breast cancer, correlates with the sexuality of the
respondents, as measured by the Multidimensional Sexuality Questionnaire
(MSQ).
A non- experimental, cross sectional and descriptive correlation research
design was utilized in this study. A five-point Likert scale questionnaire
developed by Snell, Fisher and Walter was used as a tool to measure the 12
subscale of sexuality. Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient was
used to determine if there was an association between the duration of
chemotherapy treatment and with each of the 12 subscales of the
questionnaire. A combination of networking and convenience non-
 probability sampling was used in selecting the participants for the
study.
The mean duration of chemotherapy of the respondents is 9 months.

The mean sexuality score on the 12 subscales of the MSQ are as

follows; (1) sexual-esteem = Somewhat characteristic of me, (2) sexual -
preoccupation = Not at all character ist ic of me (3) internal - sexual-
control= Mo derat ely characteristic of me (4) sexual-
consciousness=Somewhat characteristic of me (5) sexual-
motivation=Slightly characteristic of me (6) sexual-anxiety= Moderately
characteristic of me (7) sexual-assertiveness =Slightly characteristic of
me (8) sexual-depression = Very characteristic of me (9) external-sexual-
control = Very characteristic of me (10) sexual -monitoring = Slightly
characteristic of me (11) fear-of-sex = Moderately characteristic of
me, and (12) sexual-satisfaction= Somewhat characteristic of me.

The mean sexuality score is 122. With a df of 36, the table value is
0.325. The computed r value is 0.038 which falls to the weak direct
association strength of correlation (+0.3 to +0.7). Since the computed r
value (0.038) is less than the table value (0.325), there is no significant
relationship between the duration of chemotherapy and sexuality as
perceived by the respondents. The p-value computed is 0.82 which is
higher than the set level of significance of 0.05. Therefore, the
hypothesis is rejected.
 The researchers strongly encourage future researchers to

study the whole aspect of womanhood not only the sexuality of breast

cancer patients and survivors. In order to have accurate results, it is

advised that future researchers find or compose an instrument or tool

that will measure womanhood of breast cancer patients. To those who

would extend the study, it is suggested to use a different methodology. In

utilizing a descriptive correlation research design, other variables such as

mastectomy, hormonal therapy and breast reconstruction are

recommended to be included to the study to yield a more accurate

result, because these variables may have an effect on the sexuality of

female breast cancer patients and survivors. Aside from that, the use of

probability sampling technique in finding respondents will provide a more

representative and free from bias result. Moreover, it is advised that

extraneous variables such as age, years of marriage and culture be

included in the study. In addition to that, future researchers are

suggested to allot longer time for gathering of data to be able to meet larger

sample size. Furthermore, a longitudinal information collection will be able to

measure changes in sexuality of patients thus it is recommended as well.

Homeless women Barriers to care and unmet needs

A research paper
presented to the
Chinese General Hospital College of Nursing

In partial fulfillment of the requirements

for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Abello, Criseline A.
Alindogan, Aljay L.
Almonte, Margareth Andrea L.
Aquino, Arshirl G.
Gonzales, Jesus Manoel B.
Herrera, Ralph Paulo D.C
Jacinto, Nicholle L.
Lopez, John Jennesis T.
Mangahas, Maria Kristina A.
Solomon, Erika V.

III-C Group I

March 3, 2010
 ABSTRACT

Homelessness is a condition in which an individual or family

does not have a regular house to live in, lives in city streets, has no

permanent housing and unable to afford or maintain a regular, safe and

adequate home environment. The most endangering effect of

homelessness could affect people's need especially health.

The major objective of this study is to determine the unmet needs

of homeless women and identify the perceptions of homeless women about the

barriers in their health care. The study was conducted at Barangay 747 Zone 81,

San Andres, Singalong, Manila.

The study utilized cross-sectional, descriptive design and

convenience sampling with 30 homeless respondents. A modified 45-item

questionnaire developed by Lilian Gelberg was utilized.

Descriptive statistics particularly frequency distribution was used to

analyze data. Results obtained were presented through tables. The identified

unmet needs are as follows: financial needs, physiologic needs, and health care

iv
needs. The top three most perceived barriers among homeless women are:

administrative hassle, high cost of health care, fear of losing children, fear of

bad news, busy with other needs. These factors were the usual reasons for

inability of respondents to seek medical care leading to unattained needs.

Recommendations include further development of health

centers so that hassles due to overpopulation at health centers could be

reduced. Moreover, the government must make laws concerning lower rates

of health services and cheaper medicines as well

Precautions on child handlings must be recommended to avoid

such losses of the kids within the vicinity of the health centers Another

recommendation concerning the unmet needs of homeless women is to

pursue health teaching regarding proper prioritization according to Maslow's

Hierarchy of needs. Lastly, a recommendation about seeking psychiatric

advice to overcome fear of bad news is recommended.

 Six Minute Walk Test as a Preliminary Assessment of Cardiovascular

System Competence among Overweight and Underweight School Age Children

A research study presented to the

Chinese General Hospital College of Nursing

In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Chan, Lawrence

Gaspar, Lucille

Lim, Jaena Crizel

Lleva, Jose Anthony

Lomibao, Giezelle

Ramos, Rhealyn

Rosales, Krisha Carmela

Salazar, Alberto

Salgado, Joyce Anne

Trinidad, Mary Ann

III-C; Group II

March 3, 2010
 ABSTRACT

There is a rising trend in the prevalence of diseases of the

heart and vascular system due to occurrence of underweight,

overweight and obesity affecting a significant proportion of

children, adolescents and adults, which predispose them to certain

nutritional and health risks Future heart problems are foreseeable and

that can be avoided by adopting a healthy lifestyle at an early age

The study aimed to determine the difference between the

variables before and after the six-minute walk test such as heart rate.

systolic and diastolic blood pressure; oxygen saturation and respiratory

rate of overweight and underweight school age children, and to

determine the difference in distance covered and Borg s scale

scores between the overweight and underweight school a ge

children post six-minute walk test.

Fifteen overweight and fifteen underweight school-age children

(N=30), 811 years old from grades 2 to 5 were asked to participate The

children's height and weight were obtained and BMI were computed

Parents were asked to fill up a health history form and advised to

provide comfortable footwear for the children Heart rate. blood

pressure, oxygen saturation and respiratory rate were obtained before and

after the six-minute walk test; distance covered and Borg's scale scores

were measured after the test.

Among the variables obtained before and after the test,

significant differences are determined using the paired t-test and p-value

in the following variables: systolic blood pressure; oxygen

saturation, and heart rate o f underweight school age children.

Diastolic blood pressure and respiratory rate of both underweight

and overweight are also noted as significant. In contrast, systolic

blood pressure; oxygen saturation; and heart rate of overweight

school age children bef ore and after the six-minute walk have no

significant differences. Furthermore, there are significant

differences noted in distance covered and Borg's scale scores

between overweight and underweight school age children after

the six-minute walk test.

 It was seen in this study that six -minute walk test is an easy

and inexpensive test to make. It is a useful tool to assess the

cardiovascular competence among overweight and u nderweight

school age children, cardiovascular system. To improve its results,

it is f undamental to have a strict observation about the technical

details while it is applied. Many aspects must be meticulously

considered; related to the personnel who will apply the test, and

the area where the test will be made.

It is necessary to verify the observations about the

differences among overweight and underweight school age

children that this study established; better reviews should be

made regarding the physiologic duration in which body is able to

return to a normal state after a stress has been given and to test

the possibility of whether nutritional improvement would aid for a

better physical exercise capacity of the children.