Barriers and Strategies for Integrating Mental Health into Oncology Care among Cancer Patients in Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH), Port Harcourt
Résumé
The integration of mental health into oncology care remains a critical yet underdeveloped component of cancer management in Nigeria. This study assessed the availability, utilization, and barriers to psychological support services among cancer patients in Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH). A descriptive cross-sectional survey design was used, involving 133 cancer patients selected through convenience sampling. Data were obtained using a structured questionnaire and analyzed with descriptive statistics. Results revealed that 54.1% of the respondents were male, while 45.9% were female. Most participants (36.8%) were aged 41–50 years, and 64.7% were married. Educationally, 40.6% were bachelor’s degree holders, while 53.4% were self-employed. Findings on psychological service accessibility showed that 36.8% accessed psychological support once weekly, 23.3% a few times per week, and 6.8% never had access, indicating moderate but inconsistent availability. The major barriers identified included shortage of psycho-oncologists (mean = 3.43), lack of awareness of services (mean = 3.32), inadequate integration of mental health in oncology (mean = 3.02), and emotional exhaustion among patients (mean = 3.01). The overall mean barrier score (3.15) reflected general consensus on the challenges limiting psychosocial care. These findings suggest that while psychological support services exist within RSUTH, they are underutilized due to structural, informational, and human resource constraints. The study emphasizes the need for policy-driven integration of mental health into oncology care, training of psycho-oncology professionals, and establishment of standardized distress screening systems. Strengthening these components will improve patient well-being, treatment adherence, and overall quality of life for cancer patients in the institution and beyond.
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