Prevalence of Depression and Associated Factors Among Primary Caregivers of Adult Cancer Patients, South Ethiopia, Hawassa, 2019: Cross-Sectional Study

November 2020 Vol 11, No 11
Gulema Demissie
Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital Oncology Unit,
Hawassa, South Ethiopia
Niguse Tadele
Addis Ababa University Health Science College School of Nursing,
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Sezer Kisa
Oslo Metropolitan Universities, Department of Nursing and Health Promotion,
Oslo, Norway

Background: The effect of cancer on the psychological well-being of the caregivers of cancer patients could result in an increased risk of psychiatric morbidity. Caregivers experience higher levels of depression that do not diminish over time than do the cancer patients they care for. However, the caregivers have been an overlooked team. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and associated factors of primary caregivers of adult cancer patients attending Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital Oncology Unit in 2019.

Methodology: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among primary caregivers of adult cancer patients. Convenient sampling was used. The data were collected using structured questionnaires. Depression level was measured by the standardized Amharic version of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and burden level by the short form of Zarit Burden Interview, analyzed by SPSS version 20. The variables were analyzed by binary logistic regression and variables, with a P value less than .05 declared as predictive associated factors.

Results: Sample size of 231 caregivers participated in the study. The mean age of caregivers was 35 years. Depression among caregivers of cancer patients was 54.1% (95% CI, 47.6-60.6) prevalent with burden level of 64.9%. Age (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 0.22, P = .05), household size (AOR 45, P = .001), monthly income (AOR 20, P = .01), caring hours (AOR 9, P = .001), and burden level (AOR 37.2, P = .001) of the caregivers were predictive associated factors of depression.

Conclusion: The prevalence of depression among primary caregivers was high, with identified significantly predictive factors. This indicates that healthcare promotion to caregivers of cancer patients is very important.

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