S’thembiso Charles Tembe
University of KwaZulu, South AfricaTitle: The Health-Related Quality of Life of South African Peadiatric In-patients with Cancer Treatment
Abstract
Introduction: In the South African public health system, children with cancer are admitted to specialised oncology units for the duration of their treatment. These units, therefore, become the children's temporary living environment for varying periods, which may disrupt their participation in daily activities and consequently their health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Aim: The purpose of the study was to determine the HRQoL of children admitted with cancer from both their own and their parents’ perspective. Methodology: A quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted at a tertiary hospital in Gauteng with a specialist oncology unit. Structured interviews were conducted with the children aged 8-12 years using the PedsQLTM Generic Core Scale (4.0) and Cancer Module (3.0). The parent's perspective was explored using the Parents' proxy forms of both instruments. Results: Twenty-five children and their parents participated in the study. Most children in the sample were males with Leukaemia. All children and parents reported the children’s functioning at an intermediate level which suggests that these children may be at risk for HRQoL deficits. Children’s HRQoL was impacted by psychosocial functioning and change in schooling on the PedsQL TM Generic Core Scale (4.0), while parents felt physical functioning played a greater role in determining the child’s HRQoL. On the PedsQL TM Cancer Module (3.0) the parents’ perspective differed from that of the children. Parents indicated significantly lower HRQoL related ‘worry’ ‘procedural anxiety’ and ‘treatment anxiety’. Conclusion: This study indicates that occupational disruption is experienced by children during the long-term treatment of cancer. Itis suggested that occupational therapists use available instruments to monitor and provide intervention for the effect of an impaired HRQoL.
Biography
Sthembiso
Tembe, graduated in 2013 with a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy, from the
University of KwaZulu- Natal (South Africa), furthered his profession with
Diploma in Palliative Medicine in 2019 with the University of Cape Town (South
Africa) and Masters of Science in Occupational Therapy in 2020, with University
of Witwatersrand (South Africa). He has professional experience of eight years,
where he worked in Kwa- Zulu Natal rural hospital (Charles Johnson Memorial
Hospital) during the community service in 2014, and urban hospital Queen Nandi
Regional Hospital in 2015. From 2016 to 2019 he was working in a tertiary
hospital in Gauteng Province (Steve Biko Academic Hospital) where his research
interest developed and enrolled for both diploma in palliative medicine and a
master's research via a dissertation. Currently, he's working with the
Department of Basic Education in the province of Eastern Cape as the Chief
Occupational Therapist for the Inclusive Education Directorate. Sthembiso at
the beginning of his academic career has only managed to publish two (2)
articles from one study.
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