Abstract 1717P
Background
Cancer patients are vulnerable population that are exposed to different risks and harms during COVID-19 pandemic. Our study goal is to evaluate the behavioral response of cancer patients to the pandemic in countries of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
Methods
A cross-sectional study was conducted using a validated questionnaire administered via SurveyMonkey© to cancer patients in 13 centers in 6 countries in the MENA region: namely, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Jordan, Egypt, Algeria, and Morocco. The tool included 45 questions inquiring about patients’ demographics and behavioral practices during the crisis.
Results
1,012 patients were enrolled in the study between April 21 and May 15, 2020. Median age was 50 years (14-92), 67% were females, 39% had a college degree, and 75% were married. Most common reported cancer was breast cancer (40%) followed by gastrointestinal malignancies (15%). Only 3% know someone who has COVID-19 infection. Patients were worried about contracting the infection strongly (33%) or mildly (48%). Reporting strict adherence to precautions included avoiding the following actions: hand shaking (83%%), hugging and kissing (91%), social gathering (98%), meeting friends (91%), and visiting markets (80%). On the other hand, they were doing the following: repeated hand washing (77%), keeping distance from others (67%), using masks in public areas (77%), hand sanitizer (69%) and soap (81%). Some of the patients reported adopting healthier diet (35%), using dietary supplement (18%), reciting Quran (61%) or supplications (75%). About 23% of them will choose not to show up for scheduled medical appointment and 43% had appointment cancellation per request from medical team (31%) or patients themselves (12%). However, treatment session cancellation occurred per request from medical team in (11%) or patients in (4%). Interestingly, 84% of participants prefer virtual appointments over regular visits.
Conclusions
Majority of cancer patients in the study are adopting adequate precautions to prevent exposure to infection. Further studies are required to evaluate the patients’ emotional well-being and other harms resulted from the pandemic to prevent detrimental effect on patients outcome.
Clinical trial identification
Editorial acknowledgement
On behalf of the International Research Network on COVID-19 Impact on Cancer Care (IRN-CICC).
Legal entity responsible for the study
The authors.
Funding
Has not received any funding.
Disclosure
A.R. Jazieh: Research grant/Funding (self): MSD. All other authors have declared no conflicts of interest.