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.
Background: Quality of life assessment can be a good baseline measures to determine the efficacy of health policies that are designed to reduce or eradicate the detrimental disease effect. Aim: This study aimed at assessing the different dimensions of quality of life in children with diabetes including physical, social, emotional and school function. Methods: The study was conducted in Khartoum state - Sudan using a cross sectional design. Data was obtained in 2018 at three outpatient diabetes clinics, using systematic random sampling with sample size of 138 diabetic children aged between 2-18 years, via structured interviews. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data and test the relationship between quality of life and other independent variables: demography ( age, gender, parents’ education, age, residency and occupation), type of diabetes, type of treatment, duration of illness, control of diabetes and insurance status. Results: The mean age of children was 11.1±3.64 years. Most of them were females 63%. More than half of participants were not covered by any insurance scheme. Those with diabetes reported personal and adverse social effects, poor control; HA1C more than 6.5% in 90% of participants. Mean generic quality of life was 80.03 ± 27 and 80.84 ± 28 p-value =0.73 for parents and children respectively. Conclusion: Diabetes adversely affects the quality of life of diabetic children which is influenced by history of hospitalization. Further studies on Diabetes quality of life are recommended.
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