Coping strategies used by patients with cervical cancer: An explorative qualitative study at Ocean Road Cancer Institute in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Abstract

Abstract Background Worldwide, cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer among women, especially in socioeconomically disadvantaged settings, including Tanzania. Being informed about a cervical cancer diagnosis is very stressful and triggers negative reactions in an individual. Various coping mechanisms may be employed to adapt to this condition, which may be adaptive or maladaptive and vary by race, socioeconomic status, and sociocultural group. Little is known about coping strategies employed by cervical cancer patients in Tanzania. Methods Using a purposeful sampling technique, a qualitative descriptive study was conducted at the Ocean Road Cancer Institute in Dar es Salaam to explore coping strategies used by cervical cancer patients between December 2022 and January 2023. The thematic analysis method was used to analyse data. Findings: The major themes that emerged included problem-focused coping, emotion-focused coping, social support, religious coping, and escapism. Conclusions Patients with cervical cancer used various coping strategies to live with the disease. Although most of the coping strategies used were adaptive, some were maladaptive, implying the need for continued assessment to enhance adaptive coping.