Psychosocial and economic problems experienced by families with childhood cancer

• In Event: 20820 - Section on Medical Sociology Roundtables
  In Refereed Roundtable (90 minute): Table 21. Patient Experiences and Diagnostic Processes II

Abstract

Worldwide cancer is the leading cause of death. Childhood cancer has severe psychological, social and economic effects on families from diagnosis to treatment process. In childhood cancer, the disease negatively effect on patients and their families i.e. psychosocial problems, trouble in the treatment process, lack of social support, in addition to the other problems experienced by families. Therefore, families’ psychosocial and economic support is very important during the treatment of childhood cancer. The objectives of this study were to investigate the psychosocial and economic burden experienced by families with childhood cancer;
This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Pediatric Cancer Ward of the Children’s Hospital & the Institute of Child Health Multan, Pakistan during 20 June to 2024 to December 31, 2024. A total of 200 parents were selected through purposive sampling technique. The data were collected through interview schedule to examine the psychosocial and economic burden experienced by families with childhood cancer. Data were analyzed by using (SPSS) Statistical Package for Social Sciences. Of the 200 respondents, 50.0% respondents reported that they faced psychological, social and economic problems due to their child cancer. About 46.5% of the respondents expressed that they sometimes neglected their other children due to the demanding and unstable condition of their child. Due to financial difficulties grater part of the respondents’ husbands change their jobs. Majority of the respondents experienced severe psychological, social and economic problems during and after the treatment. The study recommended that there is a need to provide comprehensive psychological, social and economic support to the families to cope with the emotional strain of cancer. The government and provincial health department must provide funding for genetic testing in healthcare, and increase public knowledge about cancer and its treatment. Furthermore the Government, Non-government Organizations must support to the families regarding the treatment of their childhood cancer.

Authors

• Kamran Ishfaq

• Shumaila Raheem, Department of Sociology, Bahauddin Zakariya University Multan, Pakistan