Universal Journal of Public Health Vol. 10(1), pp. 107 - 115
DOI: 10.13189/ujph.2022.100112
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Preparedness and Perceived Resilience in a Pandemic: U.S. Cancer Patients during COVID-19

Aldara Henderson , Huaibo Xin ^*
Department of Applied Health, School of Education, Health & Human Behavior, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, Illinois, USA

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study is to examine U.S. cancer patients' preparedness for a disease outbreak like COVID-19 and understand cancer patients' perceived resilience, and how their preparedness has affected their resilience. It's a cross-sectional study with a national sample of 317 participants. Participants completed an anonymous online survey that consisted of 42 questions on a 5-point Likert scale, addressing different levels of preparedness during a pandemic, and overall individual resilience and COVID-19 resilience. Data were analyzed quantitatively. Results suggested 72% of the participants somewhat/strongly agreed, individually, they were prepared to respond to a health pandemic. Approximately, 84% of the participants felt their households had the knowledge to respond to a pandemic. Participants felt their oncologists had enough training (71%) but not enough knowledge to respond to a pandemic (58%). Only 43% felt healthcare institutions had enough supplies for a health pandemic. Participants somewhat/strongly agreed they were able to recognize thoughts and situations could make them feel stressed or upset about COVID-19 (85%) and practice their coping skills effectively. There were significant correlations between different levels of preparedness and resilience. Public health preparedness interventions/guidelines tailored towards cancer patients are needed to increase their resilience to a global pandemic.

KEYWORDS
Disaster Preparedness, Resilience, Cancer, COVID-19

Cite This Paper in IEEE or APA Citation Styles
(a). IEEE Format:
[1] Aldara Henderson , Huaibo Xin , "Preparedness and Perceived Resilience in a Pandemic: U.S. Cancer Patients during COVID-19," Universal Journal of Public Health, Vol. 10, No. 1, pp. 107 - 115, 2022. DOI: 10.13189/ujph.2022.100112.

(b). APA Format:
Aldara Henderson , Huaibo Xin (2022). Preparedness and Perceived Resilience in a Pandemic: U.S. Cancer Patients during COVID-19. Universal Journal of Public Health, 10(1), 107 - 115. DOI: 10.13189/ujph.2022.100112.