Perceived supportive care needs of cancer patients receiving treatment in two teaching hospitals in Enugu, Nigeria

Abstract

Cancer treatment is often challenged by long term physical effects, psychological and existential distress, informational needs, changes in social support and practical concerns for managing everyday life. The purpose of the study was to assess the perceived supportive care needs of cancer patients receiving treatment in two teaching hospitals in Enugu, Nigeria. Descriptive survey design was adopted for the study and the entire population of 60 respondents who met the inclusion criteria was used for the study. Data were collected using questionnaire adopted from Supportive Care Needs of Cancer patients survey (SCNS-SF34). Descriptive and inferential statistical methods of analyses were used for the data obtained and the result was presented in tables using frequency, percentages, mean and standard deviation. The major findings of the study revealed that the spiritual needs of the respondents were very extremely perceived with mean score of 3.49, physical needs mean score was 3.07 indicating an extreme need. Majority of the cancer patients perceived informational needs as an extreme need with grand mean score of 3.5. It was concluded that nurses and other health care workers who are always in contact with the cancer patients should always focus their attention in attending to their needs promptly especially the informational and spiritual needs which are the highest rated among their supportive care needs. Also, health care workers should holistically assess the supportive care needs of these patients as part of their regular activities in order to meet them promptly.