Workinesh Daba Seboka
Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia
Title: Coping strategies of women with breast cancer seeking care at Black Lion Hospital, Department of Oncology, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Biography
Biography: Workinesh Daba Seboka
Abstract
Background: A diagnosis of breast cancer regardless of the stage can be stressful, impact multiple spheres of life, and disrupt physical status, emotional and spiritual well-being, and personal relationships for the patient and family. In order to adapt, the patient ought to employ certain coping mechanisms.
Objectives: The objective of the study is to assess the coping strategies of women with breast cancer in Black Lion Hospital, Oncology Department.
Methods: An institutional cross sectional survey was employed to collect data on coping strategies of women with breast cancer seeking care at Black Lion Hospital, Oncology Department, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from March to April, 2016. A structured interviewer administered questionnaire was used to collect information from study participants. The data collection process was guided by an interviewer to gather information from the study participants. Data coding, entry and cleaning was accomplished using EpiData3.1 after which it was exported to SPSS version 23 for analysis.
Results: The results of this study showed the most commonly used coping strategies among women with breast cancer seeking care at Black Lion Hospital were self-distraction, planning, behavioral disengagement, and religion. It was found that coping with breast cancer was significantly associated with age less than 49 years which is five times more likely than with age greater than 50 years (AOR=4.582; CI=95%: 1.532-13.699). Married women were four times more likely to cope with breast cancer compared to unmarried women (AOR=3.601; CI=95%: 1.434-9.044). Being educated secondary school and above is associated four times more likely to cope with breast cancer than illiterates.
Conclusion: A diagnosis of breast cancer causes stress to the patients. Predominant coping strategies used were: self-distraction; planning; behavioral disengagement; and religion. The strategy employed influences adaptation to the diagnosis.