Effect of oral mucositis on nutrition among patients with head and neck cancer.

e18123 Background: Cancer encompasses a vast array of diseases characterised by the uncontrolled division of abnormal cells that have the potential to infiltrate and destroy normal body tissue. Its ability to spread throughout the body underscores the seriousness of the disease. This research focuses on head and neck cancers, which originate from the mucosal epithelium in the oral cavity, pharynx, and larynx. Collectively, these cancers are known as head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (NCI, 2021). Head and neck cancer (HNC) is the sixth leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally, claiming approximately 300,000 lives annually across all age groups. The majority of HNC fatalities occur in developing countries, including Nigeria. The three primary risk factors for HNC are tobacco use, alcohol consumption, and oral sex. Over the years, research has indicated that the prevalence of these risk factors among Nigerians is increasing. Recent scientific reports suggest that the lifetime prevalence rates of tobacco use, alcohol consumption, and oral sex among adolescents living in some major Nigerian cities are as high as 32.5%, 66%, and 65.5%, respectively. These alarming prevalence rates are issues of public health concern. Methods: A self-constructed questionnaire, which includes a letter of introduction, demographic data, and research questions, was made anonymous to ensure confidentiality. Thirty copies of the questionnaire were personally administered by the researcher, with necessary explanations given regarding their completion. The completed questionnaires were then retrieved from the respondents for analysis. Results: Base on the findings the effect of oral mucositis on nutrition amongst patients with head and neck cancers are taste alteration, saliva change, mouth sores (Infection) by 73.3% of the respondents while 16.5% said that is malnutrition. Looking at the level of the knowledge of the respondent, 86.7% of the respondent have knowledge about oral mucositis while 13.3% do not have knowledge about it. Furthermore, the finding of the study revealed that the uses of ice blocks, mouth rinse, honey and antibiotics and topical lidocaine as available treatments for oral mucositis by 66.7% of the respondents. Moreover, the findings revealed that 66.7% of the respondent strongly agreed they were depressed while 33.3% of the respondent agreed they were depressed. Conclusions: From the study, it is revealed that patients with head and neck cancer do not have adequate knowledge on oral mucositis. This implies that oncology nurses should emphasized through health education on the effect of oral mucositis on head and neck cancer and how to recognise early abnormalities. This study have shown knowledge of effect of radiotherapy induced oral mucositis among patient with head and neck cancers that attends oncology clinic.