| dc.description.abstract | Various factors influence the quality of life (QOL) in cancer patients. This study sought to determine the predictors and factors associated with quality of life among g ynaecological cancer patients on follow up at Kenya tta National Hospital, Kenya. A cross-sectional descriptive study was carr ied out between April and June 2014, involving both outpatient and inpatient gynaecological cancer patients receiving care at th e palliative care unit. A structured questionnaire adopting the Missoula Vitas Quality of Life Index was used to collect informati on on socio-demographics, clinical characteristics and their perceptions about quality of life. The association between socio-demo graphic and clinical factors with QOL was analyzed using one way ANOVA and linear regression analysis to identify the pred ictors of QOL. A total of 108 study patients were i nterviewed. Their mean age was 48 years with a range of 18 to 72 years. Age, l evel of education, marital status, occupation and m onthly income were the socio-demographic factors significantly associated with QOL scores, (p<0.05). The patients’ type of ca ncer, type of cancer treatment, duration of illness and palliative care services were the clinical characteristics signific antly associated with QOL scores, (p<0.05). Age, level of education, occupati on, average monthly income, type of cancer treatmen t, duration of illness and type of cancer were the independent predictors of Q OL. Vulnerable patients were those who were less ed ucated, peasant farmers or casual workers, had a long duration of illness a nd underwent combined therapy. Age, education, occu pation, income, type of cancer, type of cancer treatment and duration of il lness were the determinants of quality of life amon g gynaecological cancer patients in the study. Sufficient attention should be given to the more vulnerable gynaecological canc er patients in identifying and addressing their specific needs by the palliative c are team | en_US |
