Nutritional factors preventing esophageal cancer from the perspective of patients' relatives: A qualitative study

Introduction: Dietary factors are effective in diseases related to gastrointestinal cancer, and new eating habits are a major cause of cancer. The image of disease in people's minds can be the source of beliefs and significantly shape health behaviors. Accordingly, it is important to examine the perspective and level of knowledge of individuals in order to develop interventions, with the aim of encouraging and teaching health behaviors in order to reduce the risk of disease. The aim of this study was to explain the nutritional factors preventing esophageal cancer from the perspective of patients' relatives. Methods: This study was conducted with a qualitative approach in ۲۰۱۸. Participants were ۲۳ companions of patients with esophageal cancer, which were selected by purposive sampling method from medical centers of Golestan University of Medical Sciences. ۱۰ patients' daughters, ۵ patients' sons and ۸ patients' wives with age and gender variation were included in the study. Data collection tools were semi-structured and individual interviews. Interviews were recorded, handwritten and analyzed according to the guided content analysis method. In order to evaluate the accuracy and robustness in the present study, Lincoln and Goba evaluation criteria including four criteria of validity, transferability, verifiability and reliability were used. Results: Results: From the analysis of data related to nutritional factors preventing esophageal cancer, Five main themes of "food preparation changes", "Observing individual food style", "Eliminate or reduce unhealthy eating habits", "Optimizing access to health-oriented food", "Proper nutrition policy" was created. Conclusion: Conclusion: According to the findings, participants believed in the role of dietary factors in the disease prevention process. Paying attention to the mentioned factors can provide the ground for disease prevention and control and planning to maintain and improve the health of the community. Therefore, it is necessary to prioritize proper nutrition education to the target community and others.

کلیدواژه ها:

Nutrition ، Esophageal cancer ، Preventive behaviors ، Patient relatives ، Qualitative study