Impacts of Social Support on Quality of Life of Cancer Patients in Kenya

Abstract

Background: Cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide after cardiovascular disease and accounts for 1 in 6 deaths. In Kenya, It accounts for 7% of all death. One of the major concerns in determination of patients’ quality of life is their social wellbeing. Cancer patients’ response to diagnosis and treatment is dependent on both professional and social support they receive. Lack of social support has been linked with increase in depression, anxiety and lack of coping resulting to decreased emotional wellbeing as well as poor quality of life. Therefore, the aim of the study was to determine the impact of social support on quality of life of cancer patients in Kenya. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional research design was used for the study. Closed self-administered questionnaires were used for data collection which included the Quality of Life Patient/Cancer Survivor Version (QOL-CSV) questionnaire and the multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support questionnaire. Both were adopted and modified for the study. The study included 108 cancer patients selected through systematic random sampling technique. Results: Majority of the cancer patients had good social support from family and significant others with most reporting lack of social support from friends. Bivariate analysis showed statistically significant relationship between quality of life with family social support, significant others social support, and financial support. Financial support, Family and significant others social support were identified to be predictors of quality of life. Conclusions: Social support is an important element in determination of patients’ quality of life. Health care workers, family and friends should not only focus on the diagnosis and treatment of the cancer but also should consider the social wellbeing of the patients. They play a major role in improving the patients’ social wellbeing hence the overall quality of life.