PREDICTORS OF HEALTH-RELATED QUALITY OF LIFE AMONG PRIMARY CAREGIVERS OF CANCER PATIENTS IN KAKAMEGA COUNTY, KENYA

Abstract

Caregivers often undergo a deterioration in their Health Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) as a result of the considerable burden of caring for a cancer patient. Most research undertaken in Western nations have revealed a link between higher caregiving stress and poorer mental and physical well-being, as well as premature death, among family caregivers. Hence, the results of these studies may not have direct applicability to the people of Kenya, particularly in Western Kenya where the socioeconomic and ethnic circumstances are distinct. This research aimed to identify the characteristics associated with the health-related quality of life of main caregivers for cancer patients in Kakamega County. The basic objectives of the proposed research were to investigate the socio-economic determinants, ascertain patient characteristics, and evaluate the correlation between psychological aspects and HRQoL (Health-Related Quality of Life) among primary caregivers of cancer patients in Kakamega County. This research used an institutional-based cross-sectional analytical study design. The Kakamega County Referral Hospital was picked purposely as it houses the cancer center for the western area. The study population consisted of caregivers of cancer patients receiving treatment at the hospital. The caregivers were meticulously selected from a roster obtained from the Cancer Centre registry of cancer patients, where they are recorded as those who provide assistance throughout treatment. It is expected that every cancer patient has a designated caregiver. After calculation, the sample size consisted of 422 primary care providers. A data collection tool was obtained using a QOL questionnaire, such as WHOQoL-BREF, designed to measure both the objective and subjective aspects of quality of life. Additionally, the tool includes PHQ9/GAD-7, which are more sensitive and have a broader range of applications. The SPSS version is a statistics tool for social sciences. 26 was used for data input, cleaning and analysis. Socio-economic variables such as marital status (P=0.043), domicile (P=0.005), occupation (P=0.011) and income (P=0.027) were considerably connected with HRQoL. The patient's characteristics, such as the treatment style (P=0.022) and the kind of test performed (P=0.033), showed a substantial correlation with the patient's health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Caregiver knowledge and family support associated factors including severity of cancer as a disease(P=0.000), other family members supplying help with care(P=0.004), other family members with cancer(P=0.038) and chronic illness(P=0.000) were substantially connected with HRQoL. Psychological associated factors like melancholy (P=0.000), anxiety(P=0.017), perceived quality of life(P=0.000) and being pleased with one’s health (P=0.013) were substantially connected with HRQoL. The research revealed that socio-economic variables, psychological factors, patient characteristics and care giver’s knowledge on cancer were correlated with health-related quality of life among caregivers of cancer patients. The research indicated that financial expenses for cancer management may be lowered since this might lessen the financial stress care providers are enduring. Other family members should help main care providers not only financially, but also mentally to alleviate the strain of the primary care giver. Health care professionals should establish sometime to train caregivers about different forms of cancer their treatment, bad impact of the medications and how to help their patients at home so minimizing the burden of cancer, as a severity of the illness. Psychosocial support group networks should be developed for caregivers via multiple contact channels thereby lowering the mental and psychological strain felt by caregivers.