A QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS OF SPIRITUALITY AND SOCIAL SUPPORT WITH ITS IMPACT ON CANCER PATIENTS’ QUALITY OF LIFE

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Published: Jun 30, 2020
DOI: https://doi.org/10.35845/kmuj.2020.19939
Keywords:
Spirituality Quality of Life Cancer Social Support Chronic Disease Coping Innovative Care

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Abid Ali
Department of Sociology, University of Peshawar, Peshawar, Pakistan
Niaz Muhammad
Department of Sociology, University of Peshawar, Peshawar, Pakistan
Ihsan Ullah Khan
Department of Sociology, FATA University, TSD Dara Adam Khel, Kohat, Pakistan

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the level of spirituality and social support along with its impact on health related quality of life (QoL) in cancer patients.
METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted from 15th July to 31st August 2018 on 200 patients selected through purposive sampling. Pre-validated questionnaires were used to collect the data on spirituality, social support and QoL, which were analyzed using SPSS v.20.0. Descriptive and inferential statistics were applied where needed.
RESULTS: In 200 patients, 151 (75.5%) were male, majority (n=70; 35%) were from >48 to 58 years of age group, maximum (n=116; 58%) were unmarried, while majority had primary education (n=62; 31%). Laryngeal carcinoma (n=24; 12%), was the commonest clinical presentation followed by breast cancer (n=23; 11.5%). Majority (n=77; 38.5%) presented at Stage III, 140 (70%) reported it to be diagnosed at first evaluation, 161 (80.5%) had no family history, 109 (54.5%) reported to start spiritual treatment after diagnosis, and 117 (58.5%) reported family as their main support during the whole phase. In spirituality distinctiveness, 68 (34%) patients showed very high spiritual level, 72 (36%) reported to recite specific Quranic verses in religious practice, in which 112 (56%) reported to recite واذا مرضت فهو يشفين, 168 (84%) leaned towards spiritual practices after diagnosis. In correlation, spirituality (2.42±0.596) and social support (2.19±0.568), both had a significant correlation with QoL (2.37±0.494) with values of r=0.289, p=0.000 and r=0.238, p=0.001 respectively.
CONCLUSION: Spirituality and social support are the key coping mechanisms that have supportive influences on the patients’ overall health-related QoL.

Article Details

How to Cite
Ali, A., N. Muhammad, and I. U. Khan. “A QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS OF SPIRITUALITY AND SOCIAL SUPPORT WITH ITS IMPACT ON CANCER PATIENTS’ QUALITY OF LIFE”. KHYBER MEDICAL UNIVERSITY JOURNAL, vol. 12, no. 2, June 2020, pp. 126-31, doi:10.35845/kmuj.2020.19939.
Issue
Vol. 12 No. 2 (2020): KMUJ 2020; VOL 12; ISSUE 2 - APR - JUN
Section
Original Articles

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