title: Honey prevents oral mocositis in children undergoing chemotherapy: A quasi-experimental study with a control group.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There are numerous pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment options available in the treatment of oral mucositis. However, in spite of so many methods and products, medical professionals have not come to a consensus as to which of these offer the best results.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study was conducted to assess the effect of oral care with honey on children undergoing chemotherapy for the prevention and healing of oral mucositis.
  
  
  METHODS
  This quasi-experimental study was conducted on children undergoing chemotherapy. The study group consisted of 83 children who attended clinics and polyclinics for chemotherapy. All the children were included in the study period. The study was completed with a total of 76 children except for seven patients who were excluded from the study. The data were collected using a form and the World Health Organization Mucositis Assessment Index. The data were analyzed using percentage distributions, means, a chi-square test, a t-test, a variance analysis, and a Friedman test. Ethics approval of the study was obtained from the Institution Ethics Committee.
  
  
  RESULTS
  It was found that the severity of oral mucositis in the children in the experimental group was significantly less than the control group. The mucositis recovery period in the experimental group was significantly shorter than the control group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Regular oral care with honey for children undergoing chemotherapy for hematological cancers prevents mucositis and also accelerates recovery of it when started after mucositis onset.
authors.affiliation: Karadeniz Technical University Health Science Faculty, Trabzon, Turkey. Electronic address: hkbulut@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Hacer
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kobya Bulut
authors.affiliation: Ataturk University Health Science Faculty, Erzurum, Turkey. Electronic address: fgtufekci@mynet.com.
authors.forename: Fatma
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Güdücü Tüfekci
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002648:Child; D035061:Control Groups; D005260:Female; D006722:Honey; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D065228:Non-Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D013280:Stomatitis / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents
keywords: Chemotherapy; Child; Honey; Nursing; Oral care