Abstract:

Background: In cancer care, prognostic communication refers to communicating the absence of a cure, the terminal nature of the disease, and/or life expectancy. Therefore this study aim to update the evidence which is needed to inform cost-effective interventions to improve prognostic awareness among cancer patients and caregivers in Tanzania. The current study is expected to create awareness among health care providers on the factors associated with prognostic awareness among cancer patients

Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 403 adult diagnosed with cancer from January 2023 to August 2023. A descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study design was used to depict the factors associated with prognostics awareness of adult cancer patients. Data was collected using a self-administered structured questionnaire which includes 7 questions about patient’s demographics, 6 questions about cancer prognostic awareness, and 20 questions about perceived quality of life. For data analysis, the statistical package for social science (SPSS) version 20 was used, descriptive statistics including frequency, mean, percentage, and prevalence were used for data analysis to determine Factors Associated with Prognostic Awareness among Adults Diagnosed with cancer at Bugando Medical Centre in Northwestern Tanzania.

Results: 403 adult diagnosed with cancer were included. Concerning with prevalence and factors associated with prognostic awareness among participants, results revealed that factors associated with prognostic awareness, age between 25-34 [p-value 0.021], 35-44 [p- value 0.011], participants with collage/university education level [p-value 0.005], participants who have married [p-value 0.011], self-employed [p-value 0.005], public/private employed [p-value 0.004] and female gender participants [p-value 0.002] were statistically associated with prognostic awareness and the prevalence were 13.6% of participants who said cancer is curable have cancer stage I &II and 3.23% who said the goal of their treatment were to prolong their life and relive the symptoms with cancer stage III &IV have good prognostic awareness.

Conclusion: There is inadequate knowledge regarding Factors Associated with Prognostic Awareness among Adults Diagnosed with Cancer at Bugando Medical Centre in Northwestern Tanzania, Update evidence is needed to inform cost-effective interventions to improving prognostic awareness among cancer patients and caregivers in Tanzania.