Quality of life and associated factors among adults living with cancer and their family caregivers. (16th March 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gabriel, Israel; Creedy, Debra; Coyne, Elisabeth
• Is Part Of: Nursing & health sciences. Volume 23:Number 2(2021)
• Page Start: 419
• Page End: 429
• Publication Date: 2021-03-16
• Subjects: adult with cancer -- cancer -- family caregivers -- health literacy -- Nigeria -- psychosocial needs -- quality of life -- spirituality; Nursing -- Periodicals; Nursing -- Study and teaching -- Periodicals; Public health -- Periodicals; Medical care -- Periodicals; 610.73
• DOI: 10.1111/nhs.12823
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1441-0745

Abstract

Abstract: This study examined the association of needs, health literacy, and quality of life among adult Nigerians with cancer and family caregivers. A descriptive study was conducted involving 240 adults with cancer and family caregivers attending a tertiary hospital. More than two‐thirds of participants reported moderate or high needs. Information (90.8%) and spiritual support (85%) were the domains of highest need among adults with cancer. Family/social support (85%) and spiritual support (81.7%) ranked the highest among family caregivers. A negative correlation was found between needs and quality of life. Stepwise regression analysis showed that needs and literacy explained 36% of the variance in adults with cancer's quality of life and 28% of the variance in family caregivers' quality of life. Spiritual need accounted l for 9.5% and 9.1% of variation for adults with cancer and family caregivers, respectively. Findings suggest that interventions with a focus on social/family and spiritual needs may improve wellbeing of adults with cancer and caregivers in Nigeria. This research are generalizable to other low‐income countries where family values and spirituality are often a strong feature of daily life.