International Journal of Nursing Science 2020, 10(2): 39-45 DOI: 10.5923/j.nursing.20201002.02 Social-Economic Support Care Needs among Cancer Patients Attending Hospice/Palliative Clinic at Meru Level Five Hospital, Kenya Josphat Kariuki Gitonga 1,* , Drussilla Makworo 2 , Bernard Mbithi 2 1 School of Nursing, Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology and a Nursing Officer at Chuka Level Four Hospital, Tharaka Nithi County, Kenya 2 School of Nursing, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kiambu, Kenya Abstract Globally, cancer patients and care givers experience numerous social economic needs that range from and are related to financial constraints, transportation obstacles, accommodation, poverty and inflexible working conditions, non-availability of services, socio-cultural and gender-related factors among others. To establish the socio-economic supportive care needs among cancer patients attending hospice/palliative care clinic in Meru level five Hospital (in Kenya), a descriptive cross-sectional study design that adopted qualitative approach in data collection was used, with purposive sampling being applied to select the study respondents. To collect data, the researcher conducted two focused group discussions (one with male patients only and another one with female patients). Two sets of interviews were conducted (one interview with the cancer patients and another one with the key informants). Interview schedule was used to collect data through interview till redundancy was achieved, while focused group discussion guide was used to modulate focused group discussion. All interviews were recorded and transcribed. The study employed thematic qualitative data analysis where processing and analysis of qualitative data was carried out. Descriptive analysis was computed to analyze quantitative data and presented in form of tables. Qualitative results were presented in narrative with selected compelling exemplar quotes from the interview. A total of 22 respondents participated in the study, among which 19 of them were cancer patients while three were key informants working in the hospice clinic. The study findings revealed that cancer patients experienced numerous socio-economic supportive care needs. The needs ranged from high cost of treatment which are overwhelming and sometimes unbearable, National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) challenges, financial constraints, travelling for long distances to access cancer related services, poor road network, lack of accommodation, stock out of essential medications and inadequate infrastructures. Therefore, the government should ensure improved health insurance cover, improved infrastructure in the cancer centers and decentralization of cancer services. The government should also carry out outreach services to reach those who live far from the cancer care facilities. Keywords Cancer, Socio-Economic, Supportive Care, Needs 1. Introduction 1.1. Background of Study Globally life expectancy for cancer patients which is coupled with poor quality of life has increased sharply, with more than 70% of these patients being unable to afford treatment and quality supportive care [1]. Unmet social economic needs among Arabs-Americans were established of which a significant percentage (52%) of patients who receive cancer diagnosis do not initiate or complete * Corresponding author: josphatgitonga01@yahoo.com (Josphat Kariuki Gitonga) Received: July 7, 2020; Accepted: July 20, 2020; Published: August 15, 2020 Published online at http://journal.sapub.org/nursing treatment due to inability to afford care services [2]. In Sub-Saharan Africa, cancer patients from rural areas and isolated urban centers encounter more challenges associated with their social economic lifestyle [3]. This has been associated with poverty among the patients. In addition, the sub-Sahara Africa, minimal resources and shortage of qualified work force are common and the major focus is in preventive and curative only [4]. In Kenya, it is estimated that 40,000 Kenyans are diagnosed with cancer annually while more than 27,000 Kenyans die from cancer within the first two years post-diagnosis [5]. Despite this cancer burden, the few consultants on oncology in Kenya are concentrated in major towns. This results in socio economic challenges to cancer patients since they are not able to get cancer treatment and other services timely. The high poverty index and lack of