Abstract:
Background: Cancer is among the three leading causes of death in low income countries and the highest increase
with regard to incidence figures for cancer diseases are found in these countries. This is the first report of the
health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and needs of care and support of adult Tanzanians with cancer.
Methods: A mixed-methods design was used. The study was conducted at Ocean Road Cancer Institute (ORCI) in
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. One hundred and one patients with a variety of cancer diagnoses treated and cared for
at ORCI answered the Kiswahili version of the EORTC QLQ-C30 investigating HRQOL. Thirty-two of the patients
participated in focus group interviews discussing needs of care and support. Data from focus group interviews
were analyzed with content analysis.
Results: The findings show that the patients, both women and men, report a low quality of life, especially with
regard to physical, role, and social function and a high level of symptoms and problems especially with financial
difficulties and pain. Financial difficulties are reported to a remarkably high extent by both women and men.
The patients, both women and men report least problems with emotional function. A content analysis of the
interview data revealed needs of food and water, hygienic needs, emotional needs, spiritual needs, financial needs,
and needs of closeness to cancer care and treatment services.
Conclusion: The high score for pain points out that ORCI is facing severe challenges regarding care and treatment.
However, when considering this finding it should be noted that the pain subscale of the Kiswahili version of the
EORTC QLQ-C30 did not reach acceptable internal consistency and showed less than satisfactory convergent
validity. This also applies to the subscales cognitive function and global health/quality of life. Attention should be
drawn to meet the identified needs of Tanzanian cancer patients while hospitalized but also when at home.
Increased accessibility of mosquito nets, pads, and pain-killers would help to fulfil some needs.
