Wampaalu, Peter B.Eriksson, Lars E.Naamala, AllenNabirye, Rose C.Wettergren, Lena2022-12-142022-12-142016Wampaalu, P. B., Eriksson, L. E., Naamala, A., Nabirye, R. C., & Wettergren, L. (2016). Experiences of patients undergoing chemotherapy-a qualitative study of adults attending Uganda Cancer Institute. African health sciences, 16(3), 744-749. http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/ahs.v16i3.14http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/ahs.v16i3.14https://nru.uncst.go.ug/handle/123456789/6303Background: Cancer is a global public health challenge and how patients in countries with poor healthcare infrastructure experience cancer treatment is largely unknown. Purpose: The objective of this study was to describe adult Ugandan cancer patients’ experiences of undergoing chemotherapy treatment. Methodology: Using a qualitative descriptive design, seven in-patients with varying cancer diagnoses at the Uganda Cancer Institute were interviewed about their experiences of undergoing chemotherapy treatment; the interviews were transcribed and analysed thematically. Results: The analysis resulted in nine subthemes, which were categorized under three main themes: ‘experiences related to the body’, with the subthemes dry and sensitive skin, changes in eating and bowel habits, fever and feelings of abnormal body sensation; ‘thoughts and feelings’, with four subthemes reflecting the psychosocial impact of chemotherapy; and ‘actively dealing with discomfort’, with three subthemes describing how patients dealt with side effects, such as by sticking to a diet. Conclusion: Receiving chemotherapy treatment is difficult, and the side effects negatively influenced patients’ bodies and moods. Dealing actively with discomfort and accepting negative impacts in hope of a cure helped the participants manage the acute complications related to the treatment. We recommend the development of interventions to ease discomfort due to chemotherapy.enCancerchemotherapyexperiencesnursingqualitativeArticle