To Explore the Existing Oral Care Protocols and Awareness among Health Professionals about the Use of Honey as a Complementary Therapy in Management of Radiation Induced Oral Mucositis in Head and Neck Cancer Patients in Selected Oncology Care Settings of Karnataka

Oral mucositis is a frequent, severe toxicity in patients treated with radiation for head and neck cancer and it may lead to hospitalization and treatment interruptions. The aim of the present study was to explore the existing oral care protocols for reducing the severity of radiation induced oral mucositis in head and neck cancer patients and awareness among health professionals about the use of honey as a complementary therapy in selected oncology care settings in Karnataka.

Using Non probability convenience sampling technique, total of 120 samples was selected which includes 106 nurses and 14 doctors. Tool used to collect the data consisted of three parts: proforma for selected personal variables, check list and structured knowledge questionnaire.

Data collected were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results revealed that, the oncology hospital is following an oral care protocols for reducing the severity of radiation induced oral mucositis. Majority of health professionals (77.5%) had poor regarding honey as a complementary therapy. Among health professionals, the level of knowledge had significant association with age [χ²₍₁₎ =8.29*], qualification [χ²₍₁₎ =21.6], total work experience [χ²₍₁₎ =14.55], experience in oncology care unit [χ²₍₁₎=13.36*]and educational programme attended regarding use of honey as complementary therapy for radiation induced oral mucositis [χ²₍₁₎ = 18.86] and found non-significant for gender[χ²₍₁₎ = 1.45*].

This study revealed that Institute of oncology hospital is following an oral care protocols for reducing the severity of radiation induced oral mucositis. It was also evident from the findings that, majority of health professionals (77.5%) hadpoor knowledge regarding honey as a complimentary therapy for reducing the Severity of radiation induced oral mucositis. This emphasizes the urgent need of health education programme in oncology care settings regarding the importance of following an oral care protocols and use of honey as a complimentary therapy for reducing the severity of radiation induced oral mucositis and thereby enabling the health professionals to follow a cost effective treatment modalities for radiation induced oral mucositis.