Ibrahim M Alananzeh1, Janelle V Levesque, Cannas Kwok, Yenna Salamonson, Bronwyn Everett. 1. Author Affiliations: Centre for Applied Nursing Research, Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Western Sydney University, South Western Sydney Local Health District, Liverpool (Drs Alananzeh, Everett, and Salamonson); Centre for Oncology Education and Research Translation (CONCERT), Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, The University of New South Wales, South Western Sydney Clinical School, Liverpool (Dr Levesque); School of Nursing and Midwifery, Western Sydney University, Parramatta (Dr Kwok), Sydney, Australia.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Research exploring the unmet supportive care needs of Arab cancer survivors is limited, with most conducted with immigrant groups. No study has compared the unmet supportive care needs of immigrant Arab cancer survivors with Arab cancer survivors living in their native country. OBJECTIVE: To explore the unmet supportive care needs of both Arab Australian and Arab Jordanian cancer survivors. METHODS: Arab people living in Sydney, Australia, and Amman, Jordan, and diagnosed with cancer within the last 5 years were invited to complete a questionnaire that measured unmet supportive care needs, depression, and language acculturation. Multiple regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of unmet supportive care needs. RESULTS: Seventy-seven Arab Jordanian and 66 Arab Australian cancer survivors were recruited. Australian participants were older than their Jordanian counterparts (61.5 vs 52.3 years; P < .001) and reported higher levels of overall unmet needs (44.9 vs 36.1; P = .012). Controlling for age and stage of cancer diagnosis, higher levels of depression (β = .34) and living in Australia (β = .26) were significant predictors of unmet needs and explained almost 17% of the variance. CONCLUSIONS: These findings have extended our understanding of the unmet supportive care needs of Arab cancer survivors and confirm disparities in unmet needs in immigrant populations. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Greater attention is needed to ensure the supportive care needs are met for immigrant patients with cancer. Additional strategies to address physical and psychological needs are particularly needed in this group.
BACKGROUND: Research exploring the unmet supportive care needs of Arab cancer survivors is limited, with most conducted with immigrant groups. No study has compared the unmet supportive care needs of immigrant Arab cancer survivors with Arab cancer survivors living in their native country. OBJECTIVE: To explore the unmet supportive care needs of both Arab Australian and Arab Jordanian cancer survivors. METHODS: Arab people living in Sydney, Australia, and Amman, Jordan, and diagnosed with cancer within the last 5 years were invited to complete a questionnaire that measured unmet supportive care needs, depression, and language acculturation. Multiple regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of unmet supportive care needs. RESULTS: Seventy-seven Arab Jordanian and 66 Arab Australian cancer survivors were recruited. Australian participants were older than their Jordanian counterparts (61.5 vs 52.3 years; P < .001) and reported higher levels of overall unmet needs (44.9 vs 36.1; P = .012). Controlling for age and stage of cancer diagnosis, higher levels of depression (β = .34) and living in Australia (β = .26) were significant predictors of unmet needs and explained almost 17% of the variance. CONCLUSIONS: These findings have extended our understanding of the unmet supportive care needs of Arab cancer survivors and confirm disparities in unmet needs in immigrant populations. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Greater attention is needed to ensure the supportive care needs are met for immigrant patients with cancer. Additional strategies to address physical and psychological needs are particularly needed in this group.