Perceptions and prevalence of marijuana use among cancer patients managed at an outpatient department in Zimbabwe: A brief report.

Background: Globally, marijuana is becoming an acceptable complementary medicine for symptom management in cancer. At the time that the study was conducted, Zimbabwean laws only allowed for the cultivation of marijuana for medical and scientific use. As of 18 July 2022, the national medicines regula...

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Publicado en:Journal of Oncology Pharmacy Practice Vol. 32; no. 2; pp. 297 - 304
Autores principales: Manyau, Maudy CP, Changadzo, Kudzanai P, Mudziti, Tinashe
Formato: research tables/charts Journal Article
Publicado: Sage Publications Inc. Mar2026
Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
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      dt: Mar2026
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        atl: Perceptions and prevalence of marijuana use among cancer patients managed at an outpatient department in Zimbabwe: A brief report.
      aug:
        au:
          Manyau, Maudy CP
          Changadzo, Kudzanai P
          Mudziti, Tinashe
        affil: Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
      sug:
        subj:
          Patient Attitudes Evaluation
          Cancer Patients
          Outpatient Service Zimbabwe
          Radiology Service Zimbabwe
          Medical Marijuana Therapeutic Use
          Human
          Zimbabwe
          Female
          Male
          Adult
          Middle Age
          Cross Sectional Studies
          Survey Research
          Prevalence
          Outpatients
          Self Report
          Questionnaires
          Summated Rating Scaling
          Cervix Neoplasms
          Breast Neoplasms
          Colonic Neoplasms
          Prostatic Neoplasms
          Ethnic Groups
          Convenience Sample
          Chi Square Test
          T-Tests
          Statistical Significance
          Data Analysis Software
          Descriptive Statistics
          Adult: 19-44 years
          Middle Aged: 45-64 years
          Female
          Male
      ab: Background: Globally, marijuana is becoming an acceptable complementary medicine for symptom management in cancer. At the time that the study was conducted, Zimbabwean laws only allowed for the cultivation of marijuana for medical and scientific use. As of 18 July 2022, the national medicines regulator released a circular allowing the licensing, distribution, and use of cannabidiol-based products. Anecdotes indicate there is medical marijuana use among Zimbabwean patients with cancer. We sought to determine the prevalence, patterns of use and perceptions of medical marijuana among patients with cancer. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was used to determine patterns and perceptions of marijuana use among outpatient patients with cancer. The study included adults attending the outpatient oncology clinic at Parirenyatwa Hospital Radiotherapy Treatment Center. Results: Fifty participants with a median age of 50.5 years (IQR: 41–58) completed the questionnaire, and 28.0% of them were male. The prevalence of marijuana use in the sample was 24.0% (95% CI 13.9–38.2). Most marijuana users were male (83.3%, p < 0.001). The rate of medical marijuana use among users was 66.7%. Participants were generally neutral concerning the benefits of marijuana and how it should be regulated. Just under 50% indicated that they would be open to using it if it were legal. Conclusions and recommendations: The prevalence of marijuana use in the sample was comparable to other jurisdictions. Perceptions toward medical marijuana were generally neutral. Consequently, for medical marijuana and/or cannabidiol-based products to become acceptable in the Zimbabwean context, there is need for the dissemination of evidence-based information on their benefits.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype:
        research
        tables/charts
        Journal Article
      ougenre: Article
    language: English
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