Economic hardship among principal family caregivers of cancer patients at Khartoum oncology hospital 2020: a cross-sectional study
Abstract Background The impact of cancer extends beyond patients and consumes their families. Family members are widely recognized as informal caregivers. The economic burden on family caregivers is increased with new treatments, prolonged survival, and reduced stay in the acute care setting. This i...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2022-12-01
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| Series: | BMC Health Services Research |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-022-08918-y |
| _version_ | 1811203539695828992 |
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| author | Ammar Elgadi Aseel Hisham Hayat A. Ahmed Hiba Ali Elzaki Kamil Merghani Ali shaaban Ola Dafaalla Osama Ahmed Elkhidir Salma S. Alrawa Tahani Amin Mahmoud Waad Wadidi |
| author_facet | Ammar Elgadi Aseel Hisham Hayat A. Ahmed Hiba Ali Elzaki Kamil Merghani Ali shaaban Ola Dafaalla Osama Ahmed Elkhidir Salma S. Alrawa Tahani Amin Mahmoud Waad Wadidi |
| author_sort | Ammar Elgadi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background The impact of cancer extends beyond patients and consumes their families. Family members are widely recognized as informal caregivers. The economic burden on family caregivers is increased with new treatments, prolonged survival, and reduced stay in the acute care setting. This is especially true in African countries where family bonds are sacred and health system is fragile that they need to pay out of pocket for care. The aim of this study is to estimate the perceived caregivers’ economic burden in the subsequent aspects: financial strain, inability to make ends meet, not enough money for necessities, and economic adjustments/cutbacks. Method This study was a quantitative, descriptive cross-sectional study conducted at Khartoum oncology hospital. Included 143 caregivers of cancer patients. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using the socio-demographic Questionnaire and Economic Hardship Questionnaire (EHQ). Results One hundred forty-three cancer patients and their caregivers were included. 56.6% of patients were females, and about 32.2% were aged 51–65 years. The most common cancer types were breast cancer and leukemia. Roughly 33% of patients had stage IV cancer on presentation, and about 53.9% received chemotherapy. Unlike cancer patients, (47.6%) of family caregivers were aged 18–34 years, yet they were mainly females (54.4%). Most of them (34.3%) were unemployed, with a mean monthly gross income of 53.3 dollars, while the mean household monthly gross income was 113.0 dollars. The mean score of the economic hardship scale was 35.8 out of 64. Most of the caregivers experience no difficulties affording necessities. However, they experience difficulties with medical and leisure activities. There was no significant association between caregiver economic hardship and cancer patient characteristics (patients' age, cancer stage, and treatment type). However, there was a significant association between caregivers' economic hardships and their gender, marital status, educational level, occupation, caregiver monthly gross income, and household monthly gross income. Conclusion The study findings suggest a moderate financial burden among cancer caregivers. The predicting factors include being single, a student, male, of higher educational level, and lower income. Financial difficulties are associated with maladaptive behavior and should come to light. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-12T02:57:06Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-4901fe956b254390984af3cf67bc8e7f |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1472-6963 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-12T02:57:06Z |
| publishDate | 2022-12-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Health Services Research |
| spelling | doaj.art-4901fe956b254390984af3cf67bc8e7f2022-12-22T03:50:46ZengBMCBMC Health Services Research1472-69632022-12-012211810.1186/s12913-022-08918-yEconomic hardship among principal family caregivers of cancer patients at Khartoum oncology hospital 2020: a cross-sectional studyAmmar Elgadi0Aseel Hisham1Hayat A. Ahmed2Hiba Ali Elzaki3Kamil Merghani Ali shaaban4Ola Dafaalla5Osama Ahmed Elkhidir6Salma S. Alrawa7Tahani Amin Mahmoud8Waad Wadidi9Faculty of Medicine, University of KhartoumFaculty of Medicine, University of KhartoumFaculty of Medicine, University of KhartoumAssistant professor community medicine department National UniversityAssociate professor community medicine department University of KhartoumFaculty of Medicine, University of KhartoumAssistant professor community medicine department National UniversityFaculty of Medicine, University of KhartoumAssistant Professor National UniversityFaculty of Medicine, University of KhartoumAbstract Background The impact of cancer extends beyond patients and consumes their families. Family members are widely recognized as informal caregivers. The economic burden on family caregivers is increased with new treatments, prolonged survival, and reduced stay in the acute care setting. This is especially true in African countries where family bonds are sacred and health system is fragile that they need to pay out of pocket for care. The aim of this study is to estimate the perceived caregivers’ economic burden in the subsequent aspects: financial strain, inability to make ends meet, not enough money for necessities, and economic adjustments/cutbacks. Method This study was a quantitative, descriptive cross-sectional study conducted at Khartoum oncology hospital. Included 143 caregivers of cancer patients. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using the socio-demographic Questionnaire and Economic Hardship Questionnaire (EHQ). Results One hundred forty-three cancer patients and their caregivers were included. 56.6% of patients were females, and about 32.2% were aged 51–65 years. The most common cancer types were breast cancer and leukemia. Roughly 33% of patients had stage IV cancer on presentation, and about 53.9% received chemotherapy. Unlike cancer patients, (47.6%) of family caregivers were aged 18–34 years, yet they were mainly females (54.4%). Most of them (34.3%) were unemployed, with a mean monthly gross income of 53.3 dollars, while the mean household monthly gross income was 113.0 dollars. The mean score of the economic hardship scale was 35.8 out of 64. Most of the caregivers experience no difficulties affording necessities. However, they experience difficulties with medical and leisure activities. There was no significant association between caregiver economic hardship and cancer patient characteristics (patients' age, cancer stage, and treatment type). However, there was a significant association between caregivers' economic hardships and their gender, marital status, educational level, occupation, caregiver monthly gross income, and household monthly gross income. Conclusion The study findings suggest a moderate financial burden among cancer caregivers. The predicting factors include being single, a student, male, of higher educational level, and lower income. Financial difficulties are associated with maladaptive behavior and should come to light.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-022-08918-yEconomicsCancerCaregiversSudanOncology |
| spellingShingle | Ammar Elgadi Aseel Hisham Hayat A. Ahmed Hiba Ali Elzaki Kamil Merghani Ali shaaban Ola Dafaalla Osama Ahmed Elkhidir Salma S. Alrawa Tahani Amin Mahmoud Waad Wadidi Economic hardship among principal family caregivers of cancer patients at Khartoum oncology hospital 2020: a cross-sectional study BMC Health Services Research Economics Cancer Caregivers Sudan Oncology |
| title | Economic hardship among principal family caregivers of cancer patients at Khartoum oncology hospital 2020: a cross-sectional study |
| title_full | Economic hardship among principal family caregivers of cancer patients at Khartoum oncology hospital 2020: a cross-sectional study |
| title_fullStr | Economic hardship among principal family caregivers of cancer patients at Khartoum oncology hospital 2020: a cross-sectional study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Economic hardship among principal family caregivers of cancer patients at Khartoum oncology hospital 2020: a cross-sectional study |
| title_short | Economic hardship among principal family caregivers of cancer patients at Khartoum oncology hospital 2020: a cross-sectional study |
| title_sort | economic hardship among principal family caregivers of cancer patients at khartoum oncology hospital 2020 a cross sectional study |
| topic | Economics Cancer Caregivers Sudan Oncology |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-022-08918-y |
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