Abstract: The study assessed how psychosocial support influences the emotional and economic well-being of caregivers of cancer patients at KUTRRH in Nairobi, Kenya. Grounded in the Biopsychosocial Model and Family Systems Theory, it explored four key areas: emotional support, financial assistance, social support networks, and informational support. A cross-sectional design was used, involving 200 caregivers and 35 healthcare workers. Data collection methods included questionnaires, interviews, and focus group discussions. Findings revealed that most caregivers received moderate levels of emotional and financial support. Emotional support, particularly from family and friends, was rated highly (mean = 4.0), while counseling services and support groups were moderately available. Financial support was perceived as accessible and helpful (mean = 3.9). Statistical analysis showed a significant positive correlation among all four psychosocial support variables and family quality of life (r = 0.51 to 0.64, p < .01). Regression analysis indicated that psychosocial support accounted for 5.7% of the variability in family quality of life (R² = .057, p = .015). The study concludes that psychosocial support, especially emotional and financial assistance, plays a crucial role in reducing caregiver stress and improving family well-being. It recommends strengthening mental health services, increasing awareness, improving financial support systems, and establishing structured peer support networks for caregivers.

Received April 14, 2018; Revised April 26, 2018; Accepted May 7, 2018

Abstract: Diarrhoea, an easily preventable disease, has remained a public health problem among children underfive years of age globally. Caregivers’ risk behaviours for diarrhoea are well known. However, the relationship between settlement type and caregivers risk behaviors for diarrhoea is not clear. The overall objective of this study was to determine the relationship between settlement type and caregivers’ behavioural risk factors for diarrhoea in children. A cross sectional study was conducted in Mwanza City from June to August 2016. Validated structured questionnaire for diarrhoea survey developed by United States Agency for International Development was employed for data collection. Principle component factor analysis was performed to reduce variables that had less weight before employing cross tabulation, bivariate and binary logistic regression. The results showed that settlement type has no association with caregivers risk behaviours for diarrhoea in children. Therefore, strategies of improving infrastructure in unplanned settlements for the purpose of reducing childhood diarrhoea should be accompanied with educating community on how to quit from diarrhoeal risk behaviours, because individual behaviour is not influenced by type of settlement where he resides.