Needs assessment of onco-radiotherapy Patients for psycho-therapeutic counselling care at the University College Hospital, Ibadan

Abstract

This is a descriptive study aimed at assessing a new programme in order to improve on the psychological care of the patients. The study consists of an interviewer-administered survey instrument of 171 consecutive patients seen at the centre from the onset of the exercise. The study instrument was a questionnaire constructed by the researchers and validated in this hospital. The coefficient of reliability was ascertained to be 0.74. The subjects consisted of 33 males and 138 females, 22 or 13% of whom were unemployed at the time of the study. Stigmatization because of their disease as well as other negative reports which would benefit from counselling services was reported by 29 (18.8%) of 154 clients. Many patients and their family members need additional information and counseling about their cancer and the treatment. Research findings also reflect limited access to cancer treatment in Nigeria, which needs to be addressed via capital investment in its oncology infrastructure. The findings from this study serve to advocate for improved access to care and for the further development of psychotherapeutic interventions for cancer patients receiving treatment at University College Hospital.