Stress and coping strategies of cancer among adult cancer patients in Hawassa University comprehensive specialized hospital cancer centre in 2024: patient, family and health professional perspective.

backgroundCancer causes stress that impairs overall health of clients, their family members and health providers regardless of its stage. Despite the presence of various types of coping strategies to improve quality of life of patients, their family members and health providers, little is explored about the issue in the study area.

objectiveTo explore the lived experience of stress and coping strategies of cancer among patients, their family members and health care providers at cancer treatment centre of Hawassa University comprehensive specialized hospital.

methodsPhenomenological study design was conducted to understand the lived experience of stress and coping strategies of people with cancer, their family members and health providers. Twenty patients with their respective family care giver were interviewed followed by two focus groups discussions of health professionals. Study participants were selected purposively. After verbatim transcription and coding, mixed thematic analysis was conducted using Microsoft word.

resultsA total of three main themes have been emerged during analysis: stress, coping strategies and interaction. Each of the main themes was further categorized into patient, family member and health provider perspectives. From client perspective stress can be categorized into: emotional, physical, mental and behavioural stress. Emotional stress, financial hardship and behavioural stress are the dominant cause of stress among family members. Health providers describe emotional strain and lack of infrastructure is the key source of stress. Almost all patients adopted active coping strategies such as accepting the realities, seeking support, religious values, being creative. Providing support, being spiritual and strengthening bond with the families were clearly explained coping strategies among patients. In addition team work and physical care are among the coping mechanism of health providers. Regarding interaction and dynamism, Client-family interaction was manifested as hiding information, advocacy, decision making, role change and social and emotional support categories. On the other hand, client provider interaction manifested as showed communication, holistic care, cooperation and building trust.

conclusionPatients with cancer suffered from many different stress types. They applied multiple positive forms of coping strategies. The findings enrich the limited existing literature on this understudied population and provide direction for the future development of interventions to improve their psychological well-being.