Social support and quality of life among female breast cancer patients at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, Ethiopia 2019:Cross-sectional study

Abstract Background Breast cancer is a major life-threatening public health problem worlwide. It is the most common form of cancer among women in many developing countries including Ethiopia. Social support could change the course of cancer and can influence the quality of life among breast cancer patients. Therefore, purpose of this study was to assess social support and quality of life among female breast cancer patients attending in Tikur Anbassa Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 2019.Methods A Hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, Ethiopia from March to April 2019. A total of 214 female breast cancer patients were included and a systematic sampling method was used. A structured and pre-tested questionnaire was used. Data entry was done using epi data manager version 4.2. Data analysis was done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 25. Binary and multiple logistic regression was used to show the association of social support and quality of life. Variables significantly associated were declared at P-value <0.05 and 95%CI was used.Result A total of 214 women with breast cancer were recruited. Of the total participants, 124(58%) had good social support. It was found that participants who were college graduated (AOR=3, 95%CI: 1.5, 5.9 COR=3.2) and who had high monthly income(AOR=2.3, 95% CI: 1.2,8.5, COR= 5.39) were more likely to have good social support. It was also found that participants who were illiterate (AOR=3, 95%CI: 1.3,6.9, COR=4.8, p-value=0.008), who had systematic therapy side effects(AOR=3.8, 95%CI: 1.1,13, COR=4, p-value=0.035)and participants who had problem of appetite loss(AOR=3.5, 95%CI: 1.02,12COR=4, p-value= 0.047) were more likely to have affected QoL. Conclusion In this study finding, social support and, quality of life in breast cancer patients was low. Healthcare providers should enhance social support which may help to improve the quality of life of women with breast cancer.