Effectiveness of KAP-based nursing program in managing digestive symptoms in colorectal cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy: A retrospective controlled study

Objective To improve gastrointestinal (GI) symptom clusters in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients undergoing chemotherapy by implementing a nursing program based on Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practice (KAP). Methods This retrospective study analyzed the medical records of 292 CRC patients who received chemotherapy from June 2023 to December 2024 in Bozhou Hospital Affiliated to Anhui Medical University. Patients were divided into a control group (CG, n = 150) and an intervention group (IG, n = 142) according to the GI symptom cluster nursing intervention program. GI symptoms, self-management efficacy, level of beliefs, psychological status, functional status, and quality of life were assessed in patients before the intervention (T1), after the fourth chemotherapy session (T2), and after the eighth chemotherapy session (T3). Results At T1, there were no significant differences between the two groups in any of the assessed indices. At T2 and T3, the GI symptom clusters, the number of symptoms, the incidence of symptom clusters, and the nausea, loss of appetite, dry mouth, vomiting, diarrhea, change in appetite, and fullness in the patients of the IG were significantly lower than those of the CG. (P < 0.05). In addition, patients in the IG showed significant improvements in self-management efficacy, belief level, psychological condition, functional status and quality of life (P < 0.05). Conclusion The KAP-based nursing program is both acceptable and feasible for managing GI symptom clusters in CRC patients undergoing chemotherapy. It effectively improves patients’ GI symptoms and enhances their self-management efficacy, belief levels, psychological status, functional status, and quality of life.