Holistic Care: An Urgent Need for Cervical Cancer Patients in Kenya

Abstract

Holistic health care is an integrated approach to healthcare that treats the whole person, not simply symptoms and disease. Mind and body are integrated and inseparable. In cancer care, this approach has been actualized through the implementation of palliative care. The study aimed to determine holistic care issues faced by cervical cancer patients in Kenya. A cross-sectional study involving 334 cervical cancer patients was conducted in Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) in Kisumu from September 2014 to February 2015. Structured questionnaire, in-depth interview guide and key informant interview guide were used to collect data. Quantitative data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS) Version 20 at a statistical significance of P ≤ 0.05, descriptive statistics were performed. For qualitative data, the responses were transcribed verbatim and the content was then analyzed by searching for emerging themes on holistic care issues faced by cervical cancer patients. Qualitative data was presented in textual form with verbatim reports for illustrations. The key holistic care issues from the study were being bothered by discharge, bleeding and odor from vagina 260 (78%), being afraid to have sex 283 (85%), lack of access to counseling 314 (87%), minimal acceptance of their disease by family members 263 (79%), need for prayers from spiritual members 313 (94%) and having pain 324 (97%). The study concluded that cervical cancer patients are a facing a myriad of holistic care issues. Therefore there is a need for the ministry of health to develop interventions that can cushion them from such issues.