Determinants of Quality of Life Among Gynaecological Cancer Patients on Follow Up at a Referral Hospital in

Abstract: Various factors influence the quality of life (QOL) in cancer patients. This study sought to determine the predictors and factors associated with quality of life among gynaecological cancer patients on follow up at Kenyatta National Hospital, Kenya. A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out between April and June 2014, involving both outpatient and inpatient gynaecological cancer patients receiving care at the palliative care unit. A structured questionnaire adopting the Missoula Vitas Quality of Life Index was used to collect information on socio-demographics, clinical characteristics and their perceptions about quality of life. The association between socio-demographic and clinical factors with QOL was analyzed using one way ANOVA and linear regression analysis to identify the predictors of QOL. A total of 108 study patients were interviewed. Their mean age was 48 years with a range of 18 to 72 years. Age, level of education, marital status, occupation and monthly income were the socio-demographic factors significantly associated with QOL scores, (p<0.05). The patients ’ type of cancer, type of cancer treatment, duration of illness and palliative care services were the clinical characteristics significantly associated with QOL scores, (p<0.05). Age, level of education, occupation, average monthly income, type of cancer treatment, duration of illness an