Abstract

This study describes the influence of chemotherapy on patients' eating habits in the context of resource-limited countries. This is a descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study of patients who have been prescribed chemotherapy and followed throughout this treatment at the Yalgado Ouedraogo University Hospital. We collected data on the initial eating habits and dietary coping strategies during chemotherapy during medical oncology consultations. One hundred and two patients were collected, aged 49.19 years on average. We compared the food consumption and dietary diversity scores before and during chemotherapy, the usual diet of our patients is local cereals and tubers accompanied by vegetables and animal proteins. During chemotherapy, 81.4% of patients experienced both quantitative and qualitative taste and olfactory changes. The mean food consumption score was 58.5 before and 57.5 during chemotherapy (p = 0.005). The mean dietary diversity score during chemotherapy is 5.27 versus 4.9 before chemotherapy (p < 0.0001). During chemotherapy, 50 patients had fewer meals, and 20 had increased their dietary intake. Making nutritionists and dieticians available to cancer patients would improve their food experience during chemotherapy.

Key words: Cancer, nutrition, chemotherapy, diet.