• Samuel Ojima Adejoh, Florien Boele, David Akeju, Adlight Dandadzi, Elizabeth Nabirye, Eve Namisango, Elizabeth Namukwaya, Bassey Ebenso, Kennedy Nkhoma, and Matthew J Allsop.
• Department of Social Work, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria.
• Palliat Med. 2021 Mar 1; 35 (3): 552-562.

BackgroundCancer is increasing in its prevalence in sub-Saharan Africa. Informal caregivers are key to supporting engagement and interaction with palliative care services, but limited literature on their role impedes development of supportive interventions.AimWe aimed to understand the role, impact, and support of informal caregivers of patients with advanced cancer when interacting with palliative care services in Nigeria, Uganda, and Zimbabwe.DesignSecondary analysis of qualitative interview transcripts. The dataset was assessed for fit and relevance and framework approach was used.Setting/ParticipantsInterview transcripts of informal caregivers included participants aged over 18 years of age recruited from palliative care services across participating countries.ResultsA total of 48 transcripts were analyzed. Mean age was 37 (range 19-75) with equal numbers of men and women. Five themes emerged from the data: (1) caregivers are coordinators of emotional, practical, and health service matters; (2) caregiving comes at a personal social and financial cost; (3) practical and emotional support received and required; (4) experience of interacting and liaising with palliative care services; and (5) barriers and recommendations relating to the involvement of palliative care.ConclusionsThe role of informal caregivers is multi-faceted, with participants reporting taking care of the majority of medical, physical, financial, and emotional needs of the care recipient, often in the face of sacrifices relating to employment, finances, and their own health and social life. Efforts to develop comprehensive cancer control plans in sub-Saharan Africa must take account of the increasing evidence of informal caregiver needs.

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