Demographic and Socio-economic Correlates of Nutrition Status of Adult Cancer Patients: A Case of Texas Cancer Center, Kenya

Abstract Background Cancer has become a serious global health threat following its increasing incidence and prevalence rates. The study's objective was to establish any existing relationships between demographic and socio-economic characteristics and the nutrition status of adult cancer patients. This was aimed at gathering more data for evidence-based interventions to establish factors that influence nutrition status among cancer patients, given only the existence of scanty information on the same. Methods In this cross-sectional study, 384 patients were randomly selected. Data on demographic and socio-economic characteristics was collected through interviewer-administered questionnaires. Nutrition status data was determined through body mass index which was computed from the weight and height measurements. Chi-square and logistic regression were used to assess the correlates of nutrition status. Results The study revealed that 41% (n = 157) of participants had optimal nutrition. The mean BMI was 25.0kg/m2 ± 4.25SD, with 17% being underweight, 28% overweight, and 14% obese. The majority of the participants, 89% (n = 343), were above 36 years and 66% (n = 254) were female. Those with secondary education had the highest frequency 41% (n = 158). The monthly household income category with the highest number of respondents was less than 15,000 Kenya shillings (n = 196; 51%), while most of the study participants, 54% (n = 209), had household sizes of 4–6. Factors found to be associated with the participants' nutrition status included age (AOR = 6.73; 95% CI = 1.88–24.11; p-value = 0.003), occupation status (AOR = 2.57; 95% CI = 1.42–4.68; p-value = 0.002), sex (AOR = 2.64; 95% CI = 1.33–5.26; p-value = 0.006), household size (AOR = 1.79; 95% CI = 1.03–3.12; p-value = 0.039), and level of education (AOR = 10.81; 95% CI = 1.29–90.66; p-value = 0.028). Conclusion This study found that malnutrition was common among the study participants, and this could be a result of low income among the families and intake of low nutrients. Therefore, approaches such as increasing the availability, affordability, and accessibility of nutrient-dense foods are key when designing and prioritizing interventions.