Effects of Chlorhexidine Solution on Oral Health among Patients with Chemotherapy

Abstract

Background: Provision of oral care is far more than a matter of personal grooming. Unclean mouth can lead to serious morbidity and mortality. Since patients with chemotherapy, cannot be fed orally following session, their secretions decrease, and self-cleaning of the oral cavity is markedly reduced. As a result, oral cavity hygiene worsens and number of bacteria increases excessively, leading to bacterial colonization of the oropharynx. No evidence-based oral decontamination with antiseptics for mechanically ventilated patients has been reported. In addition, the absence of a consistent evidence base method for mouth care leads to difference in the application of mouth care from nurse to another and from one patient to another. 

Aim: The present study aimed to examine the effect of chlorhexidine solution on oral health among patients with Chemotherapy.

Methodology: A quasi-experimental design was utilized. The study was conducted at the respiratory disease clinic, at the National Cancer Institute in Cairo, Egypt. The convenience sample of 50 patients were randomly and alternatively divided into two equal groups (study& control), 25 subjects each. Tool of data collection: Demographic and clinical data Sheet, Beck oral health assessment scale and modified clinical infection sheet score were used.

Results: the findings of this study revealed that concerning comparison of oral health status changes between the study and control groups throughout study period, it could be observed that highly significant difference was elicit between the study and control groups on 5th day.

Conclusion: Chlorhexidine solution as an effect on improving oral health status. Moreover, it reduces growth of different bacterial species (Gram negative and positive bacteria).

Recommendations: This study recommended, the use of chlorhexidine solution as an oral mouth care for patients with chemotherapy.