Challenges, Coping Strategies, and Social Support among Breast Cancer Patients in Ghana

Table 1

Background characteristics of respondents.

Variables	Frequency; N = 202	Percentage
Age, mean ± SD	55 ± 13.4
<40	23	11.4
40–50	71	35.1
50–60	48	23.8
>60	60	29.7
Education
No formal	55	27.2
Primary school	54	26.7
Junior high or middle school	36	17.8
Senior high or secondary school	21	10.4
Tertiary	36	17.8
Marital status
Single	27	13.4
Married and living with partner	80	39.6
Married and not living with partner	40	19.8
Divorced/widowed	55	27.2
Religion
Christians	139	68.8
Muslims	61	30.2
No religion/traditional	2	1.0
Number of children, median (25th, 75th percentile)	3 (2, 5)
None	21	10.4
1–3	84	41.6
4–6	79	39.1
7 or more	18	8.9
Employment status
Employed	139	68.8
Unemployed	63	31.2
Types of occupation (n = 139)
Civil or public servant	20	14.4
Health professional	11	7.9
Farmer	40	18.8
Trader	56	40.3
Artisan	12	8.6

SD, standard deviation.