Assessment of Health Care Needs and Associated Factors among Families with Cancer Survivor Children at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 2024: Cross Sectional Study
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Date
2024-06-10
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Background: Childhood cancer is a global health concern, affecting early childhood and adolescence. It's the second most prevalent cause of death in both industrialized and developing countries, with 90% in Africa, especially Ethiopia, due to a lack of early diagnostic facilities and control initiatives. Family caregivers face stress after recovery of their child illness; they have diverse needs, including psychosocial, emotional, spiritual, cognitive, healthcare service, health information, and financial needs, which should be addressed to provide comprehensive cancer care.
Objective: Assessment of the healthcare needs of family caregivers who are caring for their children with cancer at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital in Addis Ababa.
Methods: A cross-sectional study surveyed 239 caregivers using SCNS-P&C for healthcare needs and medical records for clinical and socio-demographic data. Logistic regression including bivariate and multivariate analysis considering 95% confidence interval (CI) was utilized to examine association between dependent and independent variables. P‐value.
Result: Total Unmet needs of family caregivers‘ were 49.8%. On average, most participants reported unmet information and practical needs (61.9%), followed by health care and service needs (60.9%) and work and social life needs (60%). The top most unmet needs were getting emotional support (83.2%) and finding out financial support (78.3%). Discussing concerns with physicians (75.3%), accessing support services for caregivers (75.3%) were other frequently reported health care needs. Seven variables showed a statistically significant association with family caregivers‘ health care needs, including: female family caregivers, young adult and unemployed caregivers, family caregivers having children with relapsed cancer, having more than 3 children, and having a male child with cancer (AOR=4.729; 95% CI: 2.149-10.405), (AOR=5.850; 95% CI: 1.750-19.562), (AOR=4.019; 95% CI: 1.704-9.483), (AOR=4.789; 95% CI: 1.645-13.939), (AOR=4.726; 95% CI: 1.628- 13.720) and (AOR=2.575; 95% CI: 1.152-5.755) respectively. Also, single parents (divorced and widowed) have more health care needs than married parents.
Conclusion and Recommendations: In the study, unmet family caregivers needs was high. Emotional, psychosocial, and financial support to manage living expenses and child cancer treatment are predictors for unmet family caregivers needs. Therefore, the findings suggested nurse-led interventions to improve parents' quality of life, such as involving support groups, psychosocial support from health care providers, governmental and nongovernmental organizations collaboration. Further qualitative studies are recommended to explore deeply their further needs.
Keywords: Childhood cancer, family caregivers, health care need
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Childhood cancer family caregivers health care need