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Pakistan Journal of Nutrition

Year: 2013 | Volume: 12 | Issue: 10 | Page No.: 897-902
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Authors

Kufre R. Iseh

Eno Essien

Lawal S. Bilbis

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Research Article

Demographic Characteristics and Food Consumption Pattern of Head and Neck Cancer Patients in a Tertiary Health Institution North West Nigeria

Kufre R. Iseh, Eno Essien and Lawal S. Bilbis
Social, economic and environmental factors have influenced incidence and nature of head and neck cancers all over the world. The study is aimed at evaluating the socio demographic characteristics and food consumption of head and neck cancer patients and see if there may be links to predisposition to cancer. The prospective study was carried out on consecutive head and neck cancer patients seen in the Otorhinolaryngology out patient clinic and ward over a 6 month period (Oct 2011-March 2012). Information on the demographics, socioeconomic status and food consumption pattern were elicited from the respondents by the use of structured questionnaire. Data processing and analysis was done using Microsoft excel and Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) for windows, version 18.0. Thirty four head and neck cancer patients comprising 19 males (55.9%) and 15 females (44.1%) participated in the study. The ages of the patients ranged from 12-62 years. The respondents consisted of 11 local farmers (32.4%), 8 full time housewives (23.5%), 5 civil servants (14.7%) and 4 businessmen (11.8%). More than half (58.8%) of the head and neck cancer patients had no formal education while 14.7% attained secondary education. Household size of 5-10 accounted for 47.1%, 11-15 (20.6%), 16-20 (20.6%). Monthly income of <N5,000 ($33) was recorded in 12 patients (35.3%), N5,000 ($33)-N10,000 ($67) in 8 patients (23.5%), N10,000 ($67)-N20,000 ($133) in 10 patients (29.4%). Food frequency analysis showed a low consumption of vegetables and relatively high intake of simple carbohydrate food sources. Majority of head and neck cancer patients in this study were characterized by low income of <N10,000 ($67) per month (58.8%), large family size of 5-20 (88.3%) and no formal education (58.8%). Socioeconomic empowerment programs will go a long way in improving quality of living and invariably reducing incidence of head and neck cancer.
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