June 2017 Vol. 5 No.6

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Original Research Article

Predicting factors affecting the Quality of Life (QoL) among Malaysian caregivers of cancer patients

Dr. Rafi Mahmoud Hindi Alnjadat

Adjunct Assistance Professor- Behavioral Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, P. O. Box: 27272, United Arab Emirates

Corresponding Author E-mail: msncardio@gmail.com
Tel: 067061072
Mob: 0522075320

Accepted June 05, 2017

Abstract

This study evaluated the socio-demographic characteristics of Malaysian caregivers of cancer patients in order to predict the factors most likely to affect their QoL and subsequently, of those under their care. This was a cross-sectional, randomized purposive study of 137 Malaysian caregivers of cancer patients conducted over a six month period in June 2012 in Kelantan, a state within Malaysia. The (QoL) of these caregivers were assessed by a self-administered questionnaire: Quality of Life in Life-Threatening Illness – Family Carer Version (QOLLTI-F). Multiple linear regression analyses in SPSS (v20) of 137 caregivers of cancer patients showed that a lower quality of life was associated with a widowed and/or divorced status (p=0.015,p= 0.013). Unshared care also had a negative impact on QoL as shown by significantly lower QOLLTI-F scores (p= 0.014). Caregiver quality of life is multidimensional and may vary from different individuals under different conditions. This study demonstrating that the main character of Malaysian caregivers of cancer patients that health care system should pay attention to, are marital status and description of care.

Keywords: Cancer patient, Caregiver, Factor, Malaysian, Quality of life