Quality of life among cancer patients receiving chemotherapy at oncology and hematology center in Kirkuk City, Iraq

Abstract

Objective: To assess quality of life as well as to find the relationship between demographic characteristics and quality of life among cancer patients receiving chemotherapy at oncology & hematology center, Kirkuk. Methodology: This quantitative descriptive study was carried out using non-probability (purposive) sample and included 267 patients receiving chemotherapy treatment at Kirkuk Oncology and Hematology Center in Kirkuk. Constructed tool which contained 48 items was used for data collection and was divided in six parts. We used a questionnaire-based interview technique. The data were analyzed through descriptive statistical and inferential statistical analysis. Results: Out of 267 patients, 51.7% were male, 81.28% were aged 40 years and more and 50.5% had primary school education. 53.9% were unemployed, and 82.8% ware married. Regarding patient’s quality of life, the grand mean of score for all domains, as well as the overall mean of score for quality-of-life aspects were moderate. Conclusion: Most of patients were 40 years and more, male, illiterate, most of them were unemployed, housewife and married. The overall mean of scores for quality-of-life aspects were moderate.