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Quality of Life and Barriers to Health Care of Prostate Cancer Survivors Residing in Gaza Strip

Abstract Details

2010, Doctor of Philosophy, University of Akron, Urban Studies and Public Affairs.

Prostate cancer is the second common type of cancer worldwide and in Palestine. The use of different treatment options helped prostate cancer survivors to get cured or to live for longer periods of time. Because of the several complications of treatment options, issues related to quality of life (QOL) became highly important in the decision of which option to use.

Many studies examined QOL of prostate cancer survivors and barriers to health care; but none was conducted in a developing country. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the level of QOL and to assess the barriers to health care as perceived by prostate cancer survivors who live in Gaza Strip.

The UCLA-PCI instrument was used to evaluate QOL. Barriers to health care were assessed by using a semi-structured interview. With a response rate of 97.98%, findings revealed that the scores of the general quality of life of prostate cancer survivors living in Gaza Strip were generally lower than those reported in the literature. The scores of Prostate-Specific Index fell within the range of scores reported in the literature. After calculating the t test, the differences between the results of this study and the results reported in the literature were found to be significant. The use of hormonal therapy and prostatectomy were found to be the most common treatment modalities used for treatment of prostate cancer in Gaza. Participants who were treated with prostatectomy reported higher scores of PCI QOL than those treated with hormonal therapy.

Participant reported several barriers to health care. These barriers were categorized under five major categories: 1) barriers due to unavailability, 2) organizational barriers, 3) geographical barriers, 4) socioeconomic barriers, and 5) barriers related directly to the blockage imposed on Gaza. Within each category several subcategories emerged.

Results served to recommend for several policy changes. The suggested health policy changes include: a) requesting physicians to inform patients about the pros and cons of different treatment modalities, b) introduce a prostate cancer screening policy, c) reconsider the referral policy to increase radiation therapy, and d) set policies designated to eliminate barriers to health care.

Dr. Raymond Cox III (Advisor)
331 p.

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Abu-El-Noor, N. I. (2010). Quality of Life and Barriers to Health Care of Prostate Cancer Survivors Residing in Gaza Strip [Doctoral dissertation, University of Akron]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1274692323

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Abu-El-Noor, Nasser. Quality of Life and Barriers to Health Care of Prostate Cancer Survivors Residing in Gaza Strip. 2010. University of Akron, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1274692323.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Abu-El-Noor, Nasser. "Quality of Life and Barriers to Health Care of Prostate Cancer Survivors Residing in Gaza Strip." Doctoral dissertation, University of Akron, 2010. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1274692323

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)