Factors influencing non–adherence to chemotherapy: Perspective of Nigerian breast cancer survivors

The use of chemotherapy for the treatment of breast cancer has experienced a rapid increase in recent years and this is expected to continue. The objectives of the study were to ascertain the patient-related factors, therapy-related factors, and health care system factors that influence non-adherence to chemotherapy among breast cancer survivors at University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Enugu. Methods and Materials: The study design was a cross-sectional descriptive survey with a total population of 100 cancer survivors. The Breast cancer questionnaire was the instrument used for data collection. The result of the study showed that financial constraint 61(61.0%) was the major patient-related factor that influences non-adherence to chemotherapy, Medication side effects (hair loss, loss of weight) 62(62.0%) and duration of treatment 50(50.0%) were the major therapy-related factors while unfavorable hour of clinic visit 40(40.0%) was the major health care related factor that influence non-adherence to chemotherapy. It was concluded that the federal government should re-implement the health care policy that allowed treatment free-of-charge at Nigerian government hospitals to those with malignancies and other chronic ailments to mitigate the burden of associated financial problems and encourage patients to seek orthodox medical care.