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Quality of Life of Jordanians Post Stem
Cell Transplantation
Fawwaz Al Aloul, Principal Investigator
Funded by the
Oncology Nursing Society
(2005 - 2006)
Abstract |
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Fawwaz Al Aloul
(Ph.D. 2006) |
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Although biomedical outcomes such as overall
survival rates have been the first priority of
hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT)
treatment, there is also concern regarding the
negative effects of HSCT treatment on survivors’
quality of life (QOL). While HSCT is an
effective treatment for a number of cancer
diagnoses, physical, psychological, and social
dysfunction has been associated with this
treatment. Given that HSCT is relatively new in
Jordan and that no research has been conducted
on this procedure in this predominantly Muslim
culture, this study was designed to better
understand the response of Jordanians to this
potentially life changing procedure.
The specific aims of this study are to: (1)
describe QOL domains that are most likely to
deteriorate following HSCT treatment among
Jordanian cancer survivors; (2) examine how QOL
among Jordanian HSCT survivors differs from an
age-, gender- and education-matched healthy
comparison group; (3) identify demographic and
medical variables, as well as self-reported
symptom prevalence and severity, associated with
variance in post-HSCT QOL.
The conceptual framework developed by Ferrell et
al. (2001a, 2001b) provides the foundation for
the proposed study. The specific aims will be
accomplished with cross-sectional and
exploratory design. Participants for this study
are survivors (n = 70) who have undergone HSCT
at King Hussein Cancer Center (KHCC) in Jordan
and healthy participants in the comparison group
(n = 70). Participants in both groups will be
asked to complete the demographic data form and
the EORTC QLQ-C30. In addition, HSCT survivors
will be asked to complete the Medical Outcomes
Study-Social Support Survey (MOS-SSS) (Arabic
version), a needs assessment addendum to EORTC
(Arabic version), and three open-ended questions
to measure spirituality. Information about
diagnosis and disease status at time of
transplant, time since transplant, type of
transplant, and the severity of graft versus
host disease (GVHD) for allogeneic transplant
will be obtained from the survivors’ medical
records. Descriptive statistics will be used to
analyze the first aim. Paired t-tests will be
used to compare the means of the three domains
scores and the overall QOL between the HSCT and
the comparison group. Correlational and multiple
regression analyses will be used to evaluate the
value of using the demographic variables, the
medical variables, and symptom prevalence and
severity in predicting physical well-being and
symptoms, psychological well-being, and social
well-being.
This study will help in understanding the QOL
dimensions of Jordanians who have experienced
HSCT. This understanding will help in
determining needs, developing interventions, and
evaluating the outcomes of interventions. In
addition to improving the care of Jordanians
within their country, the outcomes of this study
have the potential to assist nurses and other
health care professionals to better understand
the needs of Arabs and Muslims residing in the
United States who have undergone this procedure.
Outcomes of the proposed study will form the
foundation for a later intervention study.
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$10,000 - Oncology Nursing
Society
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