Factors Militating Against Family Caregivers on Cancer Patients Health in Selected Teaching Hospitals in Ogbomoso Area, Oyo State, Nigeria

Abstract

Introduction: Cancer is gradually becoming a chronic disease, which brings important needs and difficulties to both patients and caregivers. Objective: The study examines factors militating against family caregivers on cancer patients health in selected teaching hospitals in Ogbomoso area, Oyo State, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: Both questionnaire and interviewed techniques were used for data collection from 120 respondents chosen through stratified sampling techniques. In analyzing the data, logit regression model was employed in addition to conventional descriptive statistics such as tables, frequency distribution and percentages. Results: The result of regression model has coefficient of five (5) variables that were statistically significant at 1%, and 5% probability levels. The results revealed that variables with positive signs indicate that the chances of factors militating against family caregivers on cancer patients health increase with education (2.15), social support (2.76), communication, (2.67), and financial support (4.92) whereas, variables with negative sign indicates that the chances of factor militating against family caregivers on cancer patients health decreases with socio-cultural beliefs (-2.64). Conclusion: It identified that factors militating against family caregivers on cancer patients health strongly influenced by gender, age, education, marital status and religion. Hence, recommendation was made that regular systemic assessment of effects of caregiving and shared care responsibility among family members to provide a respite for a particular caregiver.