Determinants of quality of life among gynaecological cancer patients on follow up at a referral Hospital in Kenya
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Date
2015-06-08Author
Ogoncho, Isaac M
Omuga, Blasio O
Wakasiaka, Sabina
Muiva, Margaret
Language
enMetadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Various factors influence the quality of life (QOL)
in cancer patients. This study sought to determine
the predictors
and factors associated with quality of life among g
ynaecological cancer patients on follow up at Kenya
tta National Hospital,
Kenya. A cross-sectional descriptive study was carr
ied out between April and June 2014, involving both
outpatient and inpatient
gynaecological cancer patients receiving care at th
e palliative care unit. A structured questionnaire
adopting the Missoula Vitas
Quality of Life Index was used to collect informati
on on socio-demographics, clinical characteristics
and their perceptions about
quality of life. The association between socio-demo
graphic and clinical factors with QOL was analyzed
using one way ANOVA
and linear regression analysis to identify the pred
ictors of QOL. A total of 108 study patients were i
nterviewed. Their mean age
was 48 years with a range of 18 to 72 years. Age, l
evel of education, marital status, occupation and m
onthly income were the
socio-demographic factors significantly associated
with QOL scores, (p<0.05). The patients’ type of ca
ncer, type of cancer
treatment, duration of illness and palliative care
services were the clinical characteristics signific
antly associated with QOL
scores, (p<0.05). Age, level of education, occupati
on, average monthly income, type of cancer treatmen
t, duration of illness and
type of cancer were the independent predictors of Q
OL. Vulnerable patients were those who were less ed
ucated, peasant farmers
or casual workers, had a long duration of illness a
nd underwent combined therapy. Age, education, occu
pation, income, type of
cancer, type of cancer treatment and duration of il
lness were the determinants of quality of life amon
g gynaecological cancer
patients in the study. Sufficient attention should
be given to the more vulnerable gynaecological canc
er patients in identifying and
addressing their specific needs by the palliative c
are team
Citation
Isaac Machuki Ogoncho, Blasio Osogo Omuga, Sabina W akasiaka, Margaret Muiva. Determinants of Quality o f Life Among Gynaecological Cancer Patients on Follow Up at a Referral Hospital in Kenya. American Journal of Nursing Science . Vol. 4, No. 3, 2015, pp. 127-130.Publisher
University of Nairobi
Subject
Determinants, Quality of Life, Gynaecological Cance rs, Socio-demographic Factors, Clinical FactorsCollections
- Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS) [10378]