Social networks and quality of life among female breast cancer patients at Tikur Anbessa Specialzed Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 2019

Abstract Background: Breast cancer is a major life-threatening global public health problem. It is the most common form of cancer in females in many developing countries including Ethiopia. Social networks could change the course of cancer and can influence the quality of life among breast cancer patients. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess social networks and quality of life among female breast cancer patients attending in Tikur Anbassa Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 2019. Methods: An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from March 1 to April 30/2019. A total of 214 female breast cancer patients were included Binary and multiple logistic regression was used to show the association of social networks and quality of life. Result: A total of 214 females with breast cancer were recruited with a mean age of 41.85. Participants who had children (AOR=5, 95%CL: 1.3,21 COR=6), and other relatives (AOR=6, 95%CI: 1.2,30, COR=7), were more likely to have good social networks. Participants who were not married (AOR=0.02, 95%CI: 0.03, 0.28), had no parents living (AOR=0.1, 95%CI: 0.02, 0.4), no close friends (AOR=0.06, 95%CI: 0.01, 0.4), and no neighbors (AOR=0.09, 95%CI: 0.03, 0.5) had poor social networks. Conclusion: The quality of life was relatively low and social networks were found to be poor in women with breast cancer. Health-care providers in oncology departments need to focus on addressing the side effects of therapy and social networks which may help to improve the quality of life of females with breast cancer.