Quality of life among patients with cancer and their family caregivers in the Sub-Saharan region: A systematic review of quantitative studies

Abstract

Guided by the World Health Organization quality of life (WHOQOL) framework, this systematic review aimed to examine evidence about the prevalence and severity of QOL-related health problems and their influencing factors in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). We identified eligible publications in English language from PubMed, Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature Plus with Full Text, Embase, APA PsycInfo, Scopus, and African Index Medicus databases. We included quantitative descriptive studies that measured overall and subdomains of QOL as the outcome in adult patients/survivors with cancer in SSA. Twenty-six descriptive cross-sectional studies (27 papers) that were conducted since 1988 in different SSA countries among patients with various types of cancer met our inclusion criteria. We found inconsistencies in how the prevalence and severity of QOL-related health problems have been researched and reported across studies, which complicated comparing findings and drawing conclusions. The most common factors that influenced the overall and subdomains of QOL included coping; internal and external locus of control; symptoms and symptom management; and religious beliefs and religious care. Demographics (e.g., age and marital status), cancer-related factors (cancer stage and type of treatment), and social determinants of health (e.g., education, access to information and resources, financial distress, and urban vs rural residency) also impacted QOL and its subdomains. Our findings indicate the significant need for recognizing and managing QOL-related problems for cancer patients and caregivers in SSA. Research needs to use culturally adapted, standardized assessment tools and analysis approaches to better understand the QOL challenges this population faces. Comprehensive supportive care is needed to address the complex QOL issues in resource-limited SSA.

Health-related quality of life and associated factors among cancer patients in Ethiopia: Systematic review and meta-analysis

“…The possible reason may be adequate access of information about cancer patients that can help them to give self-adjustment for the patient and they are high likely to communicate with healthcare provider. Because High average monthly income has been associated to a variety of features of improved patient care, including being less concerned about financial troubles and missing work [ 17 ]. Similarly patients facing difficulties with monthly income are at risk for experiencing upset of their quality of life [ 33 ].…”

“…Health related quality of life. Is defined as an individual's satisfaction with their physical, psychological, social relationships, environment, and spiritual aspects of life, and it is one of the major factors in assessing the health and health-related well-being of cancer patients It usually used to measure in chronic conditions and frequently impaired to a great extent of the patients [17].…”

Perceived health-related quality of life among patients living with cancer at Kamuzu Central Hospital in Malawi

“…Receipt of a cancer diagnosis is often deemed as bad news because it is widely regarded as synonymous to a death sentence 24 . This is particularly so because cancer is a life threating illness often associated with a lot of physical disability such as loss of body functions, change in physical appearance, disruption of family and personal life plans, recurrence or progression of the disease and high symptom burden 6,10,11,26 .…”

“…Similar ndings were also reported in other studies 12,25,27 . The feeling of hopelessness by patients and their care givers to the cancer diagnosis was obvious in their narratives and impacted negatively to health-related quality of life 6,11,12 . Socially, patients indicated social detachment being demonstrated by self-isolation form friends, stopped being relied upon at work or at home due to reduced functionality 11,25 .…”

“…Studies that have been conducted on QOL among patients living with cancer and their families had reported wide range of perceived factors contributing to the severity of QOL-related health problems 11 . The perceived factors ranged from lack of staff, lack of continuity of care, professional incompetence or disorganized healthcare services contributing to poor QOL as reported in Norway 12 .…”