Health-Related Quality of Life and Family Functioning of parents of
children admitted for Cancer Treatment to a South African tertiary
hospital
Abstract
Introduction: The aim of the study was to determine the health related
quality of life (HRQoL) and family functioning of parents whose children
were receiving active phase cancer treatment during a hospital
admission. Methodology: A quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional
study was conducted in a specialist oncology unit within a tertiary
hospital in Gauteng, South Africa. Structured interviews were conducted
with the parents of children with cancer, to determine their Health
Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) using the PedsQLTM Family Impact Module
(2.0). Results: Twenty-Five parents participated, with ages ranging from
26 to 48 years. Most were female, with high school educational level and
unemployed. Parents reported intermediate or low HRQoL particularly in
the physical and worry components. Parent participants reported family
functioning within the intermediate level of HRQoL. The HRQoL of parent
participants in this study differed from that reported by parents in
another study in a low-middle income context. Conclusion: This study
indicated the diagnosis and treatment of child’s cancer created
challenges, which had a negative impact on parents’ HRQoL and family
functioning.