Experiences of Newly Diagnosed Oral Cancer Patients during the First Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study from Pakistan

Maria Ishaq Khattak, Saad Ishaq Khattak, Muslim Khan, Zohaib Khan, Lisa Dikomitis, Zia Ul-Haq and Norkhafizah Saddki
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Maria Ishaq Khattak: School of Dental Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Health Campus, Kubang Kerian 16150, Kelantan, Malaysia
Saad Ishaq Khattak: Sardar Begum Dental College, Gandhara University, Peshawar 25000, Pakistan
Muslim Khan: Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Khyber College of Dentistry, Peshawar 25000, Pakistan
Zohaib Khan: Office of Research Innovation & Commercialization, Khyber Medical University, Peshawar 25000, Pakistan
Lisa Dikomitis: Kent and Medway Medical School, University of Kent and Canterbury Christ Church University, Canterbury CT2 7FS, UK
Zia Ul-Haq: Institute of Public Health & Social Sciences, Khyber Medical University, Peshawar 25000, Pakistan
Norkhafizah Saddki: School of Dental Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Health Campus, Kubang Kerian 16150, Kelantan, Malaysia

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 14, 1-15

Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in the scaling back or postponement of non-emergency hospital services, including care of cancer patients. The present qualitative study explored the experiences of newly diagnosed oral cancer patients during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Pakistan. Patients who attended the Department of Maxillofacial Surgery, Khyber College of Dentistry in July 2020 were selected using a maximum variation purposive sampling method. Seventeen semi-structured interviews were conducted in Pashto, the local language of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. All interviews were audiotaped, transcribed verbatim, and translated into English. Thematic content analysis yielded eight major themes: pain and generalised physical weakness, shock at diagnosis, psychological distress of the COVID-19 pandemic, faith and religion, double hit loss of employment, social isolation, social support from caregivers, and lack of support from health care professionals. In conclusion, the COVID-19 pandemic has a clear impact on the life experiences of newly diagnosed oral cancer patients. Distress due to delay in accessing health care and lack of support from health care providers are a matter of great concern. Appropriate interventions should be introduced to ensure psychological and social support strategies are in place for patients during interruptions of health care services.

Keywords: oral cancer; COVID-19; life experiences; health care; social support; Pakistan (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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