Determinants of Unmet Supportive Care Needs Among Adults Living With Cancer: A Cross‐Sectional Study in Southwest Ethiopia

Background Cancer patients often experience various unmet supportive care needs throughout their treatment journey. Identifying these needs is essential to enhancing care and quality of life. This study aimed to assess the unmet supportive care needs and associated factors among adult cancer patients at Jimma Medical Center, Oromia, Southwest Ethiopia, in 2024. Methods A cross‐sectional study of 261 adult cancer patients was conducted at Jimma Medical Center between December 1 and January 1, 2024. Data were collected through face‐to‐face interviews using a validated supportive care needs survey. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analyses identified factors associated with unmet supportive care needs, with results reported using crude and adjusted odds ratios at a 95% confidence interval. A p value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results Of the 261 cancer patients surveyed, 98.5% responded, with a mean age of 44 ± 13.14 years. Psychological needs were the most unmet need (87.1%), followed by physical (79.1%) and sexual needs (47.8%). Factors significantly associated with unmet needs included younger age, low education, lack of health insurance, financial difficulties, treatment side effects, and poor quality of life ( p < 0.05). Conclusion and Recommendation The study revealed high levels of unmet supportive care needs among cancer patients, particularly in the psychological domain. Individualized, patient‐centered care should be prioritized, especially for younger, less educated, uninsured patients, and those facing financial issues, treatment side effects, or poor quality of life.