SOCIO- ECONOMIC FACTORS AFFECTING CANCER PATIENTS UNDER GOING RADIOTHERAPY AT USMANU DANFODIYO UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL (UDUTH) SOKOTO.
| dc.contributor.author | BASHIRU ABDULLAHI | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2026-05-22T11:38:21Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2026-02-02 | |
| dc.description.sponsorship | Title: Socio-Economic Factors Affecting Cancer Patients under going radiotherapy at Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH) Sokoto Background of study:Cancer is a leading global cause of morbidity and mortality, with a rising burden predicted worldwide and a particularly significant public health challenge in Nigeria, which suffers from one of the continent's highest cancer mortality rates. While management involves a multidisciplinary combination of traditional and modern treatments, socio-economic factors including the high financial cost of care, limited health insurance coverage, and geographical barriers to accessing few treatment centers critically impede effective care, often leading to treatment delays, incomplete therapy, and poor outcomes. Despite the recognized importance of these barriers, there is a documented lack of recent, localized research investigating the specific socio-economic factors affecting cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy at Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH). Therefore, this study seeks to fill this gap by evaluating these factors at UDUTH, with the aim of generating baseline data to inform equitable cancer care policies, guide healthcare providers, and shape targeted interventions within the institution and similar settings. Method: A cross-sectional study design was adopted. Primary data were collected from 60 cancer patients receiving treatment or follow-up care at radiherapy, UDUTH, using structured questionnaires. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 28.0, employing descriptive statistics such as frequency and percentage distributions. Results: The study revealed that most cancer patients were within the productive age group of 31–45 years (38.3%), with slightly more males (53.0%) than females (46.7%). About half were married (50.0%) and 48.3% had tertiary education, while 28.3% had no formal education. Nearly half (46.0%) lived in urban areas, and 53.3% depended on relatives for accommodation. Unemployment was high (61.7%), and 46.7% earned below ₦50,000 monthly. The majority (80.0%) had no health insurance and 53.3% sold personal property to fund treatment. Over 70% spent more than ₦1 million on treatment, with 41.7% reporting delayed or stopped care due to financial constraints. Most respondents (80.0%) experienced financial stress affecting emotional wellbeing, and 61.7% believed financial status determined treatment quality. | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://repository.udusok.edu.ng/handle/123456789/991 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | |
| dc.title | SOCIO- ECONOMIC FACTORS AFFECTING CANCER PATIENTS UNDER GOING RADIOTHERAPY AT USMANU DANFODIYO UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL (UDUTH) SOKOTO. | |
| dc.title.alternative | SOCIO- ECONOMIC FACTORS AFFECTING CANCER PATIENTS UNDER GOING RADIOTHERAPY AT USMANU DANFODIYO UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL (UDUTH) SOKOTO. | |
| dc.type | Other |