dc.description.abstract | Background: Breast cancer management involves providing quality care that begins from the
time of diagnosis to palliative/hospice care but despite increased efforts to increase access to
breast cancer services, through a strategic policy in Kenya, the quality and accessibility to breast
cancer management provided to breast cancer patients at a referral facility is still limited.
Objective: To determine the barriers to quality care on breast cancer management in Kenyatta
National Hospital- Cancer Treatment Unit. The study aimed at determining how institutional,
socio-economic, cultural and service provider barriers impacted on knowledge, attitude and
practice of subjects and influenced quality care in breast cancer management.
Design: This was a descriptive cross-sectional institution based quantitative and qualitative study
that determined barriers to quality care in breast cancer management in Kenyatta National
Hospital- Cancer Treatment Unit.
Study sample: A total of 100 randomly selected, histological confirmed breast cancer patients
were interviewed using standard pre-tested questionnaires. Focus group discussions and key
informants interview were also conducted after ethical approval of study from Ethics committee
and clients consenting for participation in the study.
Data Analysis: Data was entered into Microsoft Access software and transferred into STAT A
version 10 for analysis. Descriptive and inferential statistical statistics were generated to describe
relationship between outcome and explanatory variables. The research was conducted for 16
weeks.
Research results: Of the n=100 clients accrued, through Principal Component Analysis -socioeconomic
status grouped 40% in poorest category and 60% in richest category. Barriers to
quality care included client's employment status, health insurance coverage, cost of illness, cost
of transport, inadequate resources and health care provider communication skills
Conclusion: Permanent interventions should be formulated to help patients, health care
providers and breast cancer institutions deal with barriers to quality of care
Recommendations: Building of a comprehensive cancer centre by the government will enhance
quality care in all aspects, to breast cancer patients and cancer patients in general. | en_US |