Experiences of Syrian women with breast cancer regarding chemotherapy: a qualitative study.

The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of Syrian women with breast cancer regarding their chemotherapy. A qualitative design, based on the content analysis approach, was used for the data collection and analysis of the perspectives of women with breast cancer in Syria. Semistructured interviews were carried out with 17 women who underwent chemotherapy after mastectomy in a chemotherapy center in Latakia between June and October 2010. Four main themes emerged from the study: psychological discomfort (negative emotion, body image, and depressive symtoms), physical problems (acute consequences of chemotherapy and general aspects of chemotherapy), social dysfunction (social isolation and lack of marriage opportunites), and failure in the family role (mother role and sexual relationship). Understanding the experiences of women with breast cancer regarding chemotherapy enables nurses to devise appropriate strategies to provide better support and care to patients in order to improve their quality of life.

Quality of life among Syrian patients with war-related lower limb amputation at the Military Hospital in Lattakia.

PURPOSE: To describe the quality of life(QOL) of Syrian people with lower limb amputation after the war. METHODS: A cross-sectional study conducted at the Military Hospital in Lattakia, from May to August 2019. A convenience sample of 65 adult males who had previously undergone amputation of a lower limb was included in this study. Participants' data were collected including age, marital status, employment, time since amputation, level of amputation, type of amputation and the use of assistive devices. The QOL was measured using the World Health Organization Quality of Life Brief Version (WHO QOL-BREF). Data analysis was done by using SPSS version 20. RESULTS: Forty (61.5%) of subjects were between age of 40-60. Below knee and unilateral lower-limb amputees formed the highest number 52 (80.0%) and 51 (78.5%) respectively. The mean scores of environment, physical health, psychological, and social relationships domains of QOL were 15.86, 15.18, 14.66, and 6.64, respectively. There were statistically significant differences in various domains of QOL between groups with different status of employment, financial support, amputated lower limb, duration since amputation, and cause of amputation (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: There is a need to pay attention to experiences and the quality of life among Syrian patients with war-related amputation.