Determinants of quality of life among gynaecological cancer patients on follow up at a referral hospital in Kenya

Abstract

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