1.Depression And Its Predictors Among Breast Cancer Patients In Nepal
ASEAN Journal of Psychiatry 2015;16(1):106-115
Objectives: The main objectives of the study were to determine: (i) the prevalence
of depression among breast cancer patients in Nepal; (ii) the association between
depression and socio-demographic and disease related variables; and (iii) to
explore correlates and predictors of depression among these patients. Methods: A
cross-sectional descriptive design was used. Structured form for sociodemographic
and disease related information, and Hospital Anxiety and
Depression Scale (HADS) were used to collect information from 120 participants.
The study was conducted at Bhaktapur Cancer Hospital, Nepal. Data were
analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) 16. Results: The
mean age of respondents was 51.92 (S.D=10.1783).The mean depression score
was 11.266 (S.D=2.782) and mean anxiety score was 11.81 (S.D=3.47). 4.2% had
severe depression, 60% had moderate depression, and 29.2% respondents had
mild levels of depression. There were no significant difference between age
group, marital status, family status, time since diagnosis, and treatment done
with depression level of respondents where-as educational level (p=0.014),
occupation (p=0.001), and anxiety level of respondents (p=0.000) had significant
impact on depression. Depression was found to be negatively correlated with
educational status of respondents (r=-0.226, P=0.013) and positively correlated
with anxiety level of respondents (r=0.450, P=0.000). Educational status
(P=0.008, B=-0.466 and Beta=-0.212) along with anxiety level of respondents
(P=0.000, B=0.369 and Beta=0.461) accounts for 30.4% of variance in depression
level of respondents (F=25.494 and R2=0.304). Conclusion: The prevalence of
depression among breast cancer patients was high. Psychological morbidities
compromise the treatment and quality of life of the patient. Thus management of
cancer should include screening for psychological morbidities, Psychological
rehabilitation should be provided along with anti-cancer treatment.