Abstract:
Purpose Our study explores socioeconomic, treatment-relat-
ed, and psychological experiences of parents during cancer
treatment of their children at an academic hospital in Kenya.
Methods This cross-sectional study used semi-structured
questionnaires. Parents whose children came for cancer treat-
ment consecutively between November 2012 and April 2013
were interviewed.
Results Between 2012 and 2013, 115 oncology patients
attended the hospital and 75 families (response rate 65 %)
were interviewed. Cancer treatment resulted in financial dif-
ficulties (89 %). More information about cancer and treatment
was required (88 %). More contact with doctors was needed
(83 %). At diagnosis, cancer was perceived as curable (63 %).
However, parents were told by health-care providers that most
children with cancer die (49 %). Parents had difficulties with
understanding doctors’ vocabulary (48 %). Common reasons
to miss hospital appointments were travel costs (52 %) and
hospital costs (28 %). Parents (95 %) used complementary
alternative treatment (CAM) for their children. Health-care
providers told parents not to use CAM (49 %). Parents had
not discussed their CAM use with doctors (71 %). Community
members isolated families because their child had cancer
(25 %), believed that child was bewitched (57 %), advised
to use CAM (61 %), and stopped conventional treatment
(45 %). Some families (15 %) never disclosed the child’s
illness to community members. Parents shared experiences
with other parents at the ward (97 %) and would otherwise not
understand the disease and its treatment (87 %).
Conclusions Parents suffer financial hardships and are dissatis-
fied with doctors’ communication regarding their children’s con-
dition. CAM is very commonly used. Doctors need to improve
their communication skills and discuss CAM more openly. Can-
cer programs should include more support for parents: financial
assistance, a facility where parents and children can stay during
the course of therapy, and parent support groups.
