Hospital Based Psychosocial Support for Children Receiving Cancer Treatment in Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital: from Children and Parents perspective

Abstract

Cancer is one of the chronic diseases, which has become the second most leading cause of death in developing countries; and its incidence has increased in Ethiopia alarmingly. Although it is hard to get evidently-based study regarding on childhood cancer in Ethiopia, the existing few recent studies show that the incidence has close to 6,000 new cases each year. The overall objective of this study, therefore, is to explore and describe the psychosocial supports given for children with cancer in Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital (TASH). The study is exploratory and employed qualitative research method with case study design. The thirty-three participants (ten children, sixteen parents and seven health care providers) were purposively selected. The main data gathering instruments were interviews, focus group discussions and observation. Findings of the study revealed that psychological and social supports in the hospital are not given in a comprehensive way. Children and parents are hardly getting of the required information about the medical tests at the time of diagnosis and throughout treatments. They don’t also get counseling service in time of even hearing the test result for the first time. Besides, there is proper interaction between patient/parent and the health workers in the department. The group counseling program and the play room are the other important sources of supports which have benefited children and their parents. Based on the findings of the study and its discussion, finally, the study presents social work implication in the areas of intervention, policy, and research, as well as implications for health caregivers and the department.