Identification of knowledge, attitudes and practices in feeding children with cancer in two shelters in Bogotá

Identificación de los conocimientos, actitudes y prácticas en la alimentación de niños con cáncer en dos albergues de Bogotá

Introduction: In the population diagnosed with cancer, challenges arise for their adequate nutrition, especially during treatment and in the later stages. Thus, identifying the nutritional knowledge, attitudes and practices of children and their parents during illness and treatment is very useful for proposing solutions to difficulties in feeding that may arise. Objective: Identify knowledge, attitudes and practices related to food by parents, caregivers and children with cancer in two foster homes located in Bogotá, Colombia. Methodology: For this, focus groups were carried out in which specialists, parents and children participated; in addition, the questionnaire designed and validated by the Food and Nutrition Organization of the United Nations was adjusted and applied for the evaluation of knowledge, attitudes, and practices in nutrition, later the data were analyzed with a software (NVivo). Results: It was found that children and guardians recognize and practice good habits for nutritional status, although for a third of them it may be difficult to comply with some of them, either due to lack of knowledge, economic condition, myths or beliefs. Conclusion: Information, education and communication interventions are required along with strategies that allow healthy eating and overcoming challenges and symptoms during illness and treatment, especially in the outpatient stage or when being discharged and returning to their homes.