Date of Award

12-2025

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Advanced Practice Nurs​ing (MSc-APN)​

First Advisor

Dr Rose Maina

Second Advisor

Dr Eva Maina

Department

School of Nursing and Midwifery, East Africa

Abstract

Background: Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) remains one of the most prevalent and distressing adverse effects of cancer treatment, affecting a substantial proportion of patients and significantly compromising their physical functioning, nutritional status, treatment adherence, and overall quality of life. However, there is a paucity of localized evidence on the magnitude and functional burden of CINV among patients diagnosed with cancer receiving chemotherapy at county referral hospitals, such as Machakos Level 5 Hospital, hence the current study.

Aim of the study: The study aimed at exploring the lived experiences of chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting among patients diagnosed with cancer at Machakos Level 5 Hospital

Objectives: The study explored patients’ physical and psychological experiences of CINV, its influence on daily functioning, and the coping strategies employed.

Methodology: A phenomenological descriptive research approach was used to explore the lived experiences on chemotherapy- induced nausea and vomiting among patients diagnosed with cancer One-on-one, face to face semi-structured interviews were used to collect data from 13 purposively sampled cancer patients who were undergoing chemotherapy and experiencing CINV. The interviews were transcribed verbatim, and Colaizzi’s six steps were adopted to obtain key phrases and statements from the transcripts that brought a comprehensive understanding of the experience.

Results: Four main themes emerged: Manifestation of CINV experiences such as diversity of the experiences of nausea and vomiting; Physical and psychological experiences with patients reporting persistent dizziness, fatigue, and anticipatory anxiety before chemotherapy; Functional status impairment, where patients struggled with household chores and income generating activities due to weakness; and Symptom management, including nutritional strategies, increased fluid intake, antiemetic use, prayer, and mind distraction such as listening to gospel music.

Conclusion: Patients undergoing chemotherapy often experience nausea and vomiting, which affect them not only physically but also emotionally and psychologically, leading to anxiety, fear, stress and low self-esteem. Comprehensive care addressing both symptom management and emotional support is essential to improve their overall quality of life.

Recommendations: Patients experiencing CINV should be empowered to share their personal experiences with health care team, including the difficulty to describe sensation of nausea to help ensure they receive care tailored to their individual needs and most effective symptom relief

First Page

1

Last Page

147

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