Experience of caregivers in providing care to terminally ill cancer patients at Ocean road cancer institute, Dar es salaam

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background: Cancer is a significant cause of death worldwide and is among the top two causes of death after heart disease; its treatment has far-reaching consequences, affecting not only patients but also caregivers and family members. Caregivers face numerous physical and emotional challenges when providing care to people suffering from life-threatening illnesses such as cancer. At Ocean Road Cancer Institute, around 65000 patients are attended regularly per year, including 10000 new cases and more than 55000 follow-up cases from all over the country and nearby countries. Around 300 are admitted yearly to the critical care unit. This research shed light on the understanding of caregivers’ experience of providing care to terminally ill cancer patients in Dar es Salaam, Objectives: The study aimed to explore caregivers' experiences in providing care to terminally ill cancer patients at Ocean Road Cancer Institute (ORCI). Methodology: A descriptive phenomenology study design was conducted among caregivers of terminally ill cancer patients at ORCI in Dar es Salaam. A sample size of 10 participants was obtained. After reaching information saturation, the study adopted a non-probability sampling procedure and employed a purposive sampling technique. The data was collected using an in-depth method. A semi-structured interview guide with an audio recorder was used to collect the data. Data were transcribed verbatim and then translated from Swahili to English. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. Results: The study identified several facilitators and challenges caregivers face, including social support networks, new experiences and skills, adapting to patient problems, and good adherence to medical guidance in facilitators caring for terminally ill patients. Physical and emotional exhaustion, financial problems, reduced social interaction, which can lead to loneliness, and emotional stress were the main challenges in caring for terminally ill cancer patients. Conclusion: The study reveals that caregivers of terminally ill cancer patients experience a complex interplay of facilitators including social support, acquiring new experience, adapting to patient behavior good adherence to medical guidance and challenges which include physical and emotional exhaustion, financial problem and reduced social interaction. These challenges often lead to overwhelming feelings, with inadequate support systems exacerbating their burdens. Caregivers need specialized attention to address these issues, alongside material support, that considers their emotional and psychological well-being. Study recommended further studies on social-economic effect of caregiving terminally ill cancer patients.