Perceived Needs of Parents Caring for Children With Cancer in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Although global research highlights the psychological, informational, and financial strains faced by parents of children with cancer, studies from Saudi Arabia remain scarce. This study aimed to (1) describe and assess the needs of parents caring for children undergoing cancer therapy in Saudi Arabia, (2) evaluate their requirements for additional information regarding these needs, and (3) identify illness-related and demographic factors that predict the demand for this information.

A total of 130 parents of children diagnosed with cancer and undergoing active treatment were recruited from a tertiary cancer hospital in Saudi Arabia for this descriptive, cross-sectional study. The Family Inventory of Needs-Pediatric II (FIN-PED II) was used to collect data through an online survey.

Parents deemed all 17 needs in the FIN-PED II necessary, with mean scores ranging from 2.68 to 3.62. The highest-priority needs were information about their child's condition and treatment received. A significant unmet need, reported by 60.8% of the parents, was guidance in helping their other children cope with the situation. Regarding additional information, 90.8% of parents wanted updates on their child's condition, and 86.9% sought treatment details. Time since diagnosis was the only significant predictor of the need for additional care information in the first 6 months of diagnosis.

These results can be used to improve care and support for parents of children with cancer. This could also aid in detecting the perceived needs of this specific population, which was assessed for the first time using the FIN-PED II tool in Saudi Arabia. Understanding parents' priorities and unmet care needs is crucial for creating tailored interventions in Saudi Arabia.