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School of Education and Social Sciences

Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://41.89.31.6:4000/handle/123456789/321

Welcome to School of Education and Social Science collection.This collection contains Journal articles published by faculty affiliated to the school.

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Author: search.filters.author.Magambo, Margaret Ndiah

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    How Individual Counselling Impacts the Psychological Well-Being of Cancer Patients receiving Care at Oncology Clinics in Meru County, Kenya
    (International Journal of Professional Practice (IJPP), 2024-09) Magambo, Margaret Ndiah; Wachira, Rebecca; Gichohi, Paul Maku
    In spite of effort by the Ministry of Health to support cancer patients by allocating resources and employing qualified personnel, cancer patients still undergo immense physical, emotional, and psychological distress that impacts on their overall well-being. Consequently, their mental health continue to deteriorate, thereby complicating treatment, coping mechanisms, recovery, and healing. This study investigated how individual counselling impacts the psychological well-being of cancer patients at oncology clinics in Meru County, Kenya. The study was guided by person- centered theory. It utilized a convergent survey research design and adopted systematic random sampling and purposive sampling techniques to select participants from a target population of 2580 cancer patients, 2580 caregivers, and 53 clinicians. Out of these, the study sampled 335 cancer patients, 40 caregivers, and six clinicians. Questionnaires, interviews, and focus group discussions were used to collect data. The validity and reliability of research instruments were ascertained accordingly. Percentages, mean, and standard deviation were computed for quantitative data, while thematic analysis was used to analyze qualitative data. The findings of the study indicate that despite the critical role of individual counselling in lessening cancer stigma, improving decision- making, promoting problem-solving skills, enhancing comprehensive understanding, and fostering preparedness, the optimal impact of individual counselling was curtailed by inadequate infrastructure, weak personalization of psychosocial care and weak flexibility at oncology clinics in Meru County. The study concluded that individual counselling positively impacts the psychological well-being of cancer patients at oncology clinics in Meru County. The study recommends a more tailored and flexible approach to the practice of individual counselling of cancer patients. Further, clinicians and psychologists should customize psychosocial interventions for each cancer patient.
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    Impact of Family Counselling on the Psychological Well-Being of Cancer Patients attending Oncology Clinics in Meru County
    (International Journal of Professional Practice (IJPP), 2024-09) Magambo, Margaret Ndiah; Wachira, Rebecca; Gichohi, Paul Maku
    Cancer patients face significant physical, emotional, and psychological challenges that impact their overall health, indicating unmet need for psychosocial support. Lack of psychological support worsens the well-being of cancer parents, and complicates medical treatment and recovery. Many oncology clinics lack sufficient mechanisms for engaging family members in helping patients navigate psychosocial challenges. Unfortunately, this undermines efforts by the Ministry of Health, which allocates resources and deploys qualified personnel for cancer management. In seeking solutions to this situation, this study aimed to evaluate the impact of family counselling on the psychological well-being of cancer patients attending oncology clinics in Meru County, Kenya. The study was anchored on social cognitive theory and utilized a convergent survey research design. The target population comprised 2580 cancer patients, 2580 caregivers and 53 clinicians; out of which 335 cancer patients, 40 caregivers and six clinicians were sampled. Questionnaires, interviews, and focus group discussions were used to collect data. The study adopted systematic, random and purposive sampling techniques in selecting subjects. Data collection tools were questionnaires, interviews and focus group discussions. Reliability and validity were established accordingly. Descriptive and inferential statistics analyses were applied to quantitative data, while thematic analysis was used on qualitative data. Findings indicated that family counselling significantly reduced stigma, increased cancer knowledge and understanding, and consequently improved the psychological well-being of patients. The study recommended integration of family counselling into oncology clinics owing to its value in addressing family dynamics, enhancing decision-making, harmony, emotional, social, nutritional, financial and spiritual wellbeing, and as well as other dimensions linked to cancer patient welfare. Clinicians, psychologists, and caregivers should prioritize a holistic approach in family counselling, encompassing comprehensive family involvement, continuous family members empowerment, coordinated decision-making, and family-tailored counselling sessions. Policies should prioritize adequate resources, cultural competence training, integrated family-centered services, and inter-professional collaborations to address challenges undermining cancer patients' psychological well-being.