Quality of Life of Caregivers of Childhood Cancer in Kenyatta National Hospital: a Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Background Cancer is a disease of increasing incidence in Kenya and the patients need a caregiver during the treatment. Caregivers’ life is affected by the demanding and overwhelming process they go through while offering care for their family members. Research in the field of caregiver quality of life (QOL) is limited in Kenya. This study will help us to evaluate the broader impact of caregiving on quality of life. Objective: To measure the quality of life of caregivers of children with cancer in Kenyatta national hospital, Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. Caregivers of children admitted with cancer were identified as well as those review in the pediatric outpatient clinic were recruited for the study. On obtaining consent, the demographic and the caregiver quality of life cancer tool was self- administered. Data collected were cleaned dataset was managed, stored and analysed using STATA 13.0 MP Edition statistical software. Results: A hundred caregiver of children with cancer were recruited. Mean age of caregivers was 35years (SD11.1). Eighty two were female and twelve were male. Level of education was secondary school and most of the caregivers were married. Out of the 100 interviewed only 35 were employed and only 19 had formal job (8- 5 working day) and the 16 had informal job (casual labourers). Approximate range of income of the 35 was mainly in the Kenya shillings1- 10000 range. The children of the caregiver were mainly age between 1 year and 10 years and treatment length was again between 2months to one year. The mean CQOLC was 96.4 Conclusion: The age of the child and employment is a significant factor in the quality of life of caregiver. Recommendation: We recommend proper parental education, psychosocial guidance and ameliorated communication skills of healthcare providers.