Assessing social determinants of health needs in newly diagnosed gynecologic oncology patients and their relationship with social support and stress levels.

OBJECTIVE

Social determinants of health (SDoH) account for 80% of health outcomes and, with social support and perceived stress, shape treatment experiences and quality of life in gynecologic cancer. This study characterized the prevalence of unmet SDoH needs among patients with newly diagnosed gynecologic cancer and examined associations of SDoH burden with social support and perceived stress.

METHODS

Patients with newly diagnosed gynecologic cancer prospectively completed a PRAPARE-based survey assessing 11 SDoH domains, perceived stress, and social support. Logistic regression examined associations of social support and perceived stress with SDoH burden (high burden: ≥ 3 needs).

RESULTS

Fifty-one patients completed screening (68.6% White, 29.4% non-White). Food-related needs were most prevalent (94.1%), followed by public insurance (18.4%) and unemployment (9.8%). Among 49 patients with complete data, 65.3% had one need, 26.5% two, and 8.2% ≥ 3. Most reported high social support (60.8%), and SDoH burden was not associated with social support (OR = 1.00, 95% CI: 0.44-2.24, p = .993). Higher perceived stress was associated with increased odds of high SDoH burden (OR = 3.35, 95% CI: 1.17-9.58, p = .024). Patients reporting ≥3 needs had higher mean stress (M = 3.25, SD = 1.50) than those with fewer needs (M = 1.53, SD = 1.12).

CONCLUSIONS

Unmet SDoH needs were common among patients with newly diagnosed gynecologic cancer. Higher stress was associated with greater SDoH burden, suggesting stress and social needs may co-occur. Screening for SDoH and stress at diagnosis may identify vulnerable patients and guide early interventions.