Supportive care needs of multicultural patients with cancer in the United Arab Emirates

Abstract

Despite the high prevalence of cancer in the Middle East, there is limited published data reporting the needs of cancer patients in this region of the world. The purpose of this study is to assess the unmet supportive care needs of oncology patients in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). From December 2014 to December 2016, a cross-sectional survey of cancer patients was conducted at a large tertiary care hospital and an oncology referral centre in the UAE, using a validated Arabic translation of the supportive care needs survey––short form (SCNS-SF34-A), assessing cancer-specific perceived needs across five domains: psychological, health system information, patient care and support, physical and daily living and sexuality. Chi-square test and Pearson’s correlation coefficient were used to assess the association between variables. Participant responses were tabulated as mean ± standard error of the mean (SEM). The response rate was 78% (210/268). Five of the 10 items from the psychological domain constituted the 10 most prevalent unmet moderate or high needs, followed by physical and daily living needs (3.04 ± 0.029, p < 0.001), health system information (3.03 ± 0.02, p < 0.001), patient care and support (2.95 ± 0.24, p < 0.001), with low sexuality needs (1.79 ± 0.08, p < 0.001). Women had significantly higher psychological unmet needs. Cultural differences were noted only in the health system information domain. Improvements in mental health services, development of multidisciplinary cancer care teams, introduction of cancer support groups and fully engaging women in all treatment decisions are feasible and easy to implement interventions that can significantly improve the care and wellbeing of oncology patients in the UAE.

Mediator Roles of Social Support and Hope in the Relationship Between Body Image Distress and Resilience in Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Treatment: A Modeling Analysis

“…Notably, assessment of information needs of patients with breast cancer should account for cultural factors. For example, in Nair et al (2018), an assessment of information needs in Chinese women with breast cancer revealed an unmet need for information related to sexuality and negative body image. However, the low need for this information may have been related to the tendency to avoid discussion of issues related to sexuality and body image in Asian culture.…”

The Unmet Supportive Care Needs of Omani Women Diagnosed with Breast Cancer

“…12 However, previous studies conducted in other Islamic countries like Malaysia and the UAE have similarly found the sexuality domain to be ranked low in terms of priority compared to other domains. 8,16 As in other conservative communities, Omani women are often embarrassed and reluctant to explore their sexual needs and concerns with healthcare professionals, as such topics are considered taboo due to cultural norms. 27 Furthermore, it is not considered routine practice to assess the sexual wellbeing of cancer patients in Oman.…”

“…A previously validated Arabic version of the 34-item Supportive Care Needs Survey-Short Form (SCNS-SF34) was used to collect data regarding the respondents' unmet supportive care needs. 8 The original SCNS-SF34 is a validated instrument used as part of routine cancer care to measure cancer patients' perceived unmet supportive care needs across five domains, including psychological (10 items), health system and information (8 items), patient care and support (6 items), physical and daily living (5 items), sexuality (2 items) and other needs (3 items). 15 Originally, it was intended that the data were to be collected using a paper-based questionnaire; however, as a result of the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, research assistants were prohibited from entering SQUH and having direct contact with patients in order to minimise the risk of transmission.…”

“…translated the SCNS-SF34 into Arabic for use in the UAE, a neighbouring country to Oman. 8 In addition, a pilot study was conducted of the first 30 participants in order to determine the reliability and clarity of the Arabic version of the SCNS-SF34 questionnaire used in the present study. This revealed Cronbach's alpha coefficients of 0.90, 0.92, 0.83, 0.87 and 0.94 for the psychological, health system and information, patient care and support, physical and daily living, and sexuality domains of unmet supportive care needs, respectively.…”

“…showed that the most prevalent unmet supportive care needs rated at a moderate-to-high level by patients with different cancers were in the psychological domain, while needs in the sexuality domain were least frequently reported. 8 In Oman, BC is a leading cause of death and disability, accounting for 12.79% of all cancers and 24.50% of all female cancers. 9 As a result of increased life expectancy, urbanisation and the adoption of more Westernised lifestyles, the incidence of BC in Oman has almost doubled over the last two decades.…”