Management of Psychological Distress among Cancer Patients: A Study at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Center (KCMC) in Moshi Municipality, Kilimanjaro Tanzania.

Abstract

Introduction: The major aim of this study was the management of Psychological Distress among Cancer Patientsat Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Center in Moshi Municipality, Kilimanjaro Tanzania. The specific objectives were to determine the management of psychological distress among cancer patients at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Center, and to explore the relationship between demographic characteristics of cancer patients. Methodology: The study used a sample of 175 respondents (cancer patients) and eight participants. The systematic sampling techniques used to get 175 respondents and purposively sampling techniques used to get eight participants. The study was cross-sectional design, which employed both approaches; a quantitative and qualitative approaches. The data gathered for the study were analyzed using quantitative data analyzing software SPSS version 20 and were visually presented using descriptive statistics such as frequency distribution of tables, and figures and qualitative data done through thematic analysis. Result: The findings of the study showed that the majority of the respondents 142 (81.1%) were not received psychological distress management 33 (25.3%) respondents they received psychological distress management but 31 (19.3%) received encouragement from medical staff; either a nurse or doctor, not official psychological management to cancer patients with psychological distress. Only 2 (6%) received an official psychological management, a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Conclusion and recommendation: The study recommends that it is important to involve psychological counsellors in the multidisciplinary team for treating cancer patients to address psychological distresses or issues them experiencing. Also, more research on psychological distress management should be done so to improve psychological well-being to cancer patients.