Impact of Psychosocial Distress on the Quality of Life of Cancer Patients in Two Health Facilities in Cameroon

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Abstract Background: Psychosocial distress interferes with the ability to cope effectively with cancer, its physical symptoms and treatment. This in turn leads to poor outcomes in patients. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of psychosocial distress on the quality of life of cancer patients in two health facilities in Cameroon. Methods: This study used a cross-sectional hospital-based design. The study was carried out over a period of three months from July-September 2020. The sample size was 120 cancer patients. A purposive sampling technique was used to recruit participants. Three validated questionnaires were used: DT, HADS and EORTC QLQ-C30 to assess, psychosocial distress, emotional distress and quality of life respectively. Results were presented using descriptive (frequency, percentage, mean) and inferential statistics (Pearson’s correlation, ANOVA). Data were analysed with SPSS version 21. All statistics were considered significant at an alpha value set at 0.05 level. Results: Majority of the patients 83 (69.2%) presented with clinically significant distress, with financial difficulties 87 (72.5%), fatigue 83 (69.2%), transportation 73 (60.8%) and difficulties with work/school 69(57.5%) being the most reported problems. Fifty nine (50.0%) and 56(47.5%) had moderate to severe anxiety and depression symptoms respectively. Overall on HADS, 67 patients (56.8%) presented with emotional distress. The quality of life was fair, with a mean of 52.4±21.3. There was a strong statistically significant relationship between psychosocial distress and the quality of life (P<0.0001), wherein psychosocial distress was found to have a negative impact on the quality of life of patients.Conclusion: Cancer patients do suffer from psychosocial distress which has a negative impact on their quality of life. This is thus a call for concern to health personnel in this setting. The psychosocial domain of cancer patients needs to be assessed for early identification of persons at risk, to better improve the quality of care which they receive and hence their quality of life.

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