Assessing Socioeconomic Disparities and Health Outcomes among Cancer Patients in a Nigerian Teaching Hospital

Background: Cancer affects all population groups in the Nigeria, but due to social, environmental, and economic disadvantages, certain groups bear a different burden of cancer. Disparities in health among populations account for preventable morbidity and mortality. Research in this area is focused on identifying health disparities and outcomes contributing to overall wellbeing. Different groups may experience cancer disparities and these groups can be defined by age, gender, education, ethnicity, income, race, origin, and other characteristics. Health disparities can affect cancer outcomes, from diagnosis to treatment. This study evaluates the health disparities and outcomes of cancer patients in a Nigerian Teaching Hospital. Methods: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study using a structured questionnaire among patients visiting the oncology unit in the hospital. The questionnaire was interviewer- administered. Descriptive statistics was used to present respondents’ sociodemographic characteristics. Pearson correlation test was used to determine relationship between the determinant of cancer disparity (social demographics) and the outcomes (from patient perspective). Results: A total of 150 patients participated in the study. More female respondents (70%) than male respondents (45%), mostly within the age range of 62 and above (56.7%) participated in this study. The disparities examined include: age, gender, marital status, educational level, occupatina, montly income, religion and health insurance. There was a correlation between the different disparities and health outcomes. All disparities except gender were statistically significant (P = 0.05 & 0.01). Age, marital status, occupation status, religion and health insurance associated postively, while educational level and monthly income associated negatively. Gender had no associaton at all. Overall, patients (50%) were a little satisfied with the overall health outcomes.