scholarly journals Availability and Utilization of Psychosocial Services for Breast Cancer Patients in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: A Mixed Method Study

Author(s):  
Abigiya Wondimagegnehu ◽  
Workeabeba Abebe ◽  
Selamawit Hirpa Abu ◽  
Eva J. Kantelhardt ◽  
Adamu Addissie ◽  
...  

Abstract Purpose: Although psychosocial services have substantial impact in cancer care, the availability and utilization of these services have not been well-studied in Sub Saharan Africa. Therefore, we explored the types of psychosocial services available for breast cancer patients in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.Methods: A mixed method study was conducted using a cross-sectional survey involving 428 breast cancer patients, followed by a qualitative study. A total of nine in-depth interviews (IDIs) were conducted with four breast cancer patients and five key informants using two separate interview guides. In addition to descriptive statistics, logistic regression was done to identify factors associated with provision of psychosocial services. Thematic analysis was used for the qualitative data using NVivo 12 plus software. Results: Only 47 (11.1%) patients received psychosocial services, either in the form of counseling, emotional support or provision of information. Health professionals reportedly provided such services along with their routine activities, and patients predominantly received social/emotional support from family members, friends and colleagues. There were no well-structured counseling service, emotional support or group discussion sessions for breast cancer patients in these health facilities. The main reasons for not providing these services were high patient flow/workload, inadequate space, lack of training and not having qualified professionals to organize and deliver psychosocial services in those hospitals.Conclusions: only one in ten breast cancer patients received psychosocial services from health professionals, and the services were not delivered in a structured way. Therefore, psychosocial services should be integrated both in private and government health facilities of Ethiopia.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abigiya Wondimagegnehu ◽  
Workeabeba Abebe ◽  
Selamawit Hirpa ◽  
Aynalem Abraha ◽  
Eva J. Kantelhardt ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Provision of psychosocial services has substantial impact in cancer care by reducing emotional distress and improving both the quality of life and survival of patients, but the availability and utilization of the services have been not well-studied in developing countries, particularly in Ethiopia. The aim of this study was to explore the types of psychosocial services available for breast cancer patients and utilization in selected health facilities in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Methods: A mixed method study was conducted using a cross-sectional survey involving a sample of 428 patients with breast cancer, followed by a qualitative study in seven health facilities in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. A total of nine in-depth interviews (IDIs) were conducted with purposefully selected four breast cancer patients and five key informants using two separate interview guides. Descriptive statistics were calculated using SPSS software, and both bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions were done to identify factors associated with provision of psychosocial services. Thematic analysis was used for the qualitative data using NVivo 12 plus software. Result: Only 47 (11.1%) patients received psychosocial services, either in the form of counseling, emotional support or provision of information. Addis Ababa residency, severity of pain and longer duration since diagnosis were factors associated with provision of psychosocial services. Health professionals reportedly provided such services along with their routine activities, and patients predominantly received social/emotional support from family members, friends and colleagues. There was no well-structured counseling service, emotional support or group discussion sessions for breast cancer patients in these health facilities. The main reasons reported by health professionals for not providing these services were high patient flow/workload, inadequate space, lack of training and not having qualified professionals to organize and deliver psychosocial services in those hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Conclusion: This study revealed that very few breast cancer patients received psychosocial services from health professionals, and the services were not integrated and delivered in a structured way. Therefore, integrating and implementing psychosocial services in cancer care is recommended both in private and government health facilities in Ethiopia.


2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (10) ◽  
pp. 3067-3074 ◽  
Author(s):  
Else M. Bisseling ◽  
Melanie P.J. Schellekens ◽  
Ellen T.M. Jansen ◽  
Hanneke W.M. van Laarhoven ◽  
Judith B. Prins ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mari Ikeda ◽  
Nao Tamai ◽  
Hisako Kanai ◽  
Misato Osaka ◽  
Kazuko Kondo ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
pp. 096100062098161
Author(s):  
Benedicta Boadi ◽  
George Tesilimi Banji ◽  
Patrick Adzobu ◽  
Stephen Okyere

Health information literacy plays a critical role in self-management practices among patients living with chronic health conditions. However, there are limited studies on information needs among breast cancer patients in Ghana. This paper therefore investigated the information needs of women living with breast cancer in Ghana and how educational status influenced their information needs. The study was conducted in two health facilities in Accra, Ghana (37 Military Hospital and Sweden Ghana Medical Centre). A total of 75 breast cancer patients were conveniently selected from the two health facilities for the study. The instrument used to elicit relevant data for this study was a questionnaire using the survey design. Data was analysed descriptively. The findings of the study revealed that the information needs of the breast cancer patients investigated were centred mainly around treatment and management information and less around preventive information. The patients also ranked diagnostic information as their highest need, followed by physical care information, treatment information, psychosocial information and disease-specific information in that order. Patients with higher education reported higher information need on all the five domains compared to those with lower education. The study therefore recommended that management of health facilities make health information literacy an integral component of their treatment and management of breast cancer.


2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Selamawit Gebrehiwot Sibhat ◽  
Teferi Gedif Fenta ◽  
Beate Sander ◽  
Gebremedhin Beedemariam Gebretekle

Abstract Background Breast cancer is the second most prevalent malignancy in Ethiopia and severely affects patients’ health-related quality of life (HRQOL). We aimed to assess HRQoL, factors influencing HRQoL, and utilities among breast cancer patients at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Methods A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital from December 2017 to February, 2018. A total of 404 breast cancer patients were interviewed using the validated Amharic version of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer module (EORTC QLQ-C30), EORTC QLQ-BR23, and Euro Quality of Life Group’s 5-Domain Questionnaires 5 Levels (EQ-5D-5 L) instruments. Mean scores and mean differences of EORTC- QLQ-C30 and EORTC- QLQ-BR23 were calculated. One-way ANOVA test was employed to determine the significance of mean differences among dependent and independent variables while stepwise multivariate logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with the global quality of life (GQOL). Coefficients and level specific utility values obtained from a hybrid regression model for the Ethiopian population were used to compute utility values of each health state. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 23. Results The mean age of patients was 43.94 ± 11.72 years. The mean score for GQoL and visual analog scale was 59.32 ± 22.94 and 69.94 ± 20.36, respectively while the mean utility score was 0.8 ± 0.25. Predictors of GQoL were stage of cancer (AOR = 7.94; 95% CI: 1.83–34.54), cognitive functioning (AOR = 2.38; 95% CI: 1.32–4.31), pain (AOR = 7.99; 95% CI: 4.62–13.83), financial difficulties (AOR = 2.60; 95% CI: 1.56–4.35), and future perspective (AOR = 2.08; 95% CI: 1.24–3.49). Conclusions The overall GQoL of breast cancer patients was moderate. Targeted approaches to improve patients’ HRQoL should consider stage of cancer, cognitive functioning, pain, financial status and worries about the patient’s future health. This study also provides estimates of EQ-5D utility scores that can be used in economic evaluations.


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jude P Mikal ◽  
Stuart W Grande ◽  
Michael J Beckstrand

BACKGROUND Social media has emerged as the epicenter for exchanging health-related information, resources, and emotional support. However, despite recognized benefits of social media for advancing health-promoting support exchange, researchers have struggled to differentiate between the different ways social support occurs and is expressed through social media. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to develop a fuller understanding of social support exchange by examining the ways in which breast cancer patients discuss their health needs and reach out for support on Facebook and to develop a coding schema that can be useful to other social media researchers. METHODS We conducted a retrospective qualitative assessment of text-based social support exchanges through Facebook among 30 breast cancer survivors. Facebook wall data were systematically scraped, organized, coded, and characterized by whether and which types of support were exchanged. Research questions focused on how often participants posted related to cancer, how often cancer patients reached out for support, and the relative frequency of informational, instrumental, or socioemotional support requests broadcast by patients on the site. RESULTS A novel ground-up coding schema applied to unwieldy Facebook data successfully identified social support exchange in two critical transitions in cancer treatment: diagnosis and transition off cancer therapy. Explanatory coding, design, and analysis processes led to a novel coding schema informed by 100,000 lines of data, an a priori literature review, and observed online social support exchanges. A final coding schema permits a compelling analysis of support exchange as a type of peer community, where members act proactively to buffer stress effects associated with negative health experiences. The coding schema framed operational definitions of what support meant and the forms each type of support could take in social media spaces. CONCLUSIONS Given the importance of social media in social interaction, support exchange, and health promotion, our findings provide insight and clarity for researchers into the different forms informational, resource, and emotional support may take in Web-based social environments. Findings support broader continuity for evaluating computer-mediated support exchange.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rahle Aberaraw ◽  
Addisu Yeshambel ◽  
Abdisa Boka ◽  
Roza Teshome

Abstract Background Breast cancer is a major life-threatening public health problem in the world. It is the most common form of cancer among women in many developing countries including Ethiopia. Social networks could change the course of cancer and can influence the quality of life among breast cancer patients. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess social networks and quality of life among female breast cancer patients attending in Tikur Anbassa Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 2019. Methods An institutional based cross-sectional study was conducted in Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from March to April 2019. A total of 214 female breast cancer patients were included and systematic sampling method was used. A structured and pre-tested questionnaire was used. Data entry was done using epi data-manager version 4.2. Data analysis was done using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 25. Binary and multiple logistic regression was used to show the association of social networks and quality of life. The strength of association was declared P-value <0.05 and 95%CI was used. Result A total of 214 women with breast cancer were recruited. The mean age was 41.85. Among total participants, 13(6%), 65(30%) and 136(64%) had limited, medium and diverse social networks respectively. Whereas, 198(92.52%) of them had affected quality of life. Participants who were illiterate were more likely to have affected quality of life by 3 times than who were more educated (AOR=3, 95%CI: 1.3,6.9, COR=4.8) and who had systematic therapy side effects were more likely to have affected QoL by 3.8 times than who had no systemic therapy side effect (AOR=3.8, 95%CI: 1.1,13, COR=4). Conclusion and recommendation In this study finding quality of life in breast cancer was low. Healthcare providers especially working at oncology department need to focus on addressing side effects of therapy and social networks which may help to improve quality of life of women with breast cancer.


BMC Cancer ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Edgeit Abebe ◽  
Tesfaye Tollesa ◽  
Mathewos Assefa ◽  
Zelalem Tilahun ◽  
Yohannes Dinku ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer in the world. It is the commonest type of cancer in Ethiopia. Cognitive problems are common among breast cancer patients. The study aimed to assess cognitive functioning and its associated factors among breast cancer patients at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 2020. Methods Institution-based comparative cross-sectional study was conducted. Study subjects were 117 breast cancer patients on chemotherapy and 117 women without breast cancer who volunteered for the study. Data was collected from May–June 2020. The Mini-mental status exam (MMSE) was used to assess cognitive functioning. Data were entered into Epi Data version 4.6.0.2 and analyzed using STATA version 14 software. Univariable and multivariable linear regression model was fitted to identify factors associated with cognitive functioning. A two-tailed p-value less than 0.05 was used to declare statistical significance. Results Among the total breast cancer patients 41.9% were diagnosed with earlier sage of the diseases (stage I and II), while the rest 58.1% were diagnosed with stage III and stage IV breast cancer. A significant difference in the MMSE score was observed among breast cancer patients and controls (19.76 ± 5.29, 25.18 ± 4.68 p <  0.0001) respectively. In multivariable linear regression analysis being non-breast cancer (Adjusted beta coefficient (Adj.β.coff). = 3.34, 95% CI (1.92–4.76) p <  0.001), hemoglobin gm/dl (Adj.β.coff =0.34, 95% CI (0.04–0.63) p = 0.02), and primary education (Adj.β.coff =2.98 95%CI (1.16–4.96) p = 0.001) secondary level and more education (Adj.β.coff = 5.47, 95%CI (3.51–7.28) p < 0.001) were significantly associated with MMSE cognitive score. Conclusion Breast cancer patients had lower mean MMSE scores when compared to non-breast cancer women. Higher hemoglobin level and higher level of education increase the MMSE cognitive score. Clinicians should incorporate routine screening of cognitive functioning for breast cancer patients and further study is required to evaluate cognitive impairment among breast cancer patients in Ethiopia.


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