Factors Contributing to the Unmet Needs of Primary Caregivers of Omani Children Diagnosed with Leukemia

Abstract

Objectives: Childhood cancers affect 6.7% of those under 14 years of age in Oman, with leukemia being most common. The psychological distress of having a child with leukemia is often compounded by perceived unmet needs on the part of the child’s primary caregiver. This study aimed to identify factors contributing to perceived unmet needs among primary caregivers of Omani children with leukemia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 119 Omani caregivers accompanying their children to the National Oncology Center, Muscat, Oman. An Arabic version of the Needs Assessment of Family Caregivers‐Cancer (NAFC‐C) questionnaire was utilized to assess perceived unmet needs in seven domains. Ethical approval for the study was obtained from the Ministry of Health in Oman. Results: A total of 119 of Omani primary caregivers were contacted; of these, 101 agreed to participate in the study (response rate: 84.9%). Linear regression analysis showed significant correlations between total NAFC‐C scores and the child’s age (p = 0.014) and caregiver’s age (p <0.001), employment status (p = 0.024), and income (p = 0.028). Unmet needs in the obtaining information domain correlated with caregiver’s age (p <0.001), caring time (p = 0.018), and number of family members (p <0.001), whereas needs in the maintaining own strength domain correlated with the child’s gender (p = 0.028), time since diagnosis (p = 0.004), caregiver’s age (p <0.001), and education level (p = 0.019). Unmet needs in the accompanying the sick child domain were correlated with the child’s gender (p = 0.049), caregiver’s gender (p <0.001), and income (p <0.001). Conclusions: Various sociodemographic variables were found to affect the unmet needs of primary caregivers of children with leukemias in Oman. Healthcare professionals in Oman should be aware of such factors in order to reduce caregiver distress.