PSYCHO-SOCIAL FACTORS INFLUENCING POST-DIAGNOSIS CHOICE OF TREATMENT BY WOMEN SEEKING BREAST CANCER CARE AT MOI TEACHING AND REFERRAL HOSPITAL

Abstract

Breast cancer is the most frequent cancer among women worldwide, impacting 2.1 million women

each year, and also causes the greatest number of cancer-related deaths among women. In 2018, it is

estimated that 627,000 women died from breast cancer – that is approximately 15% of all cancer

deaths among women. While breast cancer rates are higher among women in more developed regions,

rates are increasing in nearly every region globally. Female breast cancer was the leading cause of

global cancer incidence in 2020, responsible for 2.3 million new cases and representing 11.7% of all

cancer cases worldwide. The study sought to determine socio-demographic factors influencing post

diagnosis choice treatment by women seeking breast cancer care. A descriptive cross-sectional study

was conducted on a sample of 176 women seeking breast cancer care at Moi Teaching and Referral

Hospital. Convenience and purposive sampling were utilized in the selection of participants. An

interviewer-administered questionnaire whose pre-testing was done in Eldoret Hospital was utilized.

Data management was done using SPSS and analysis was done using relevant descriptive statistics

and Chi-square to test for association. The psycho-social factors identified as significantly associated

with post-diagnosis choice of treatment at α=0.05 were Occupation, level of education and economic

activity. There is positive correlation between quality of life, process of treatment, care services and

professionalism of the healthcare providers to breast cancer patients’ choice of treatment. Therefore,

the government of Kenya through the ministry should consider allocating funds to support breast

cancer patients due to the high costs of breast cancer treatment and economic deprivation of the

patients. Efforts should be put through to empower women through obtaining information, education

and economic empowerment.