High burden of depression among cancer patients on chemotherapy in University of Gondar comprehensive hospital and Felege Hiwot referral hospital, Northwest Ethiopia.

Abstract

IntroductionCancer, the most stressful event a person may experience often triggers depression. Depression among these groups of people, in turn, affects chemotherapy adherence, length of hospitalization, quality of life and cancer treatment outcome. Even though the problem is enormous studies that address it are limited. Therefore this study was conducted to determine the prevalence of depression and associated factors among cancer patients on chemotherapy in Felege-Hiwot referral hospital and University of Gondar referral hospital, Northwest Ethiopia.MethodsAn institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted from April to May 2019. A total of 302 cancer patients on chemotherapy were included. Depression was assessed using the patient health questionnaire (PHQ-9). Binary logistic regression was used to select variables and determine Crude Odds Ratio (COR). Variables with P value ResultsThe prevalence of depression among cancer patients on chemotherapy was 70.86% (95% CI: 65.38, 75.92). Educational status of college and above (AOR = 0.1, 95% CI: 0.02, 0.43), Jobless (AOR = 0.15, 95% CI: 0.04, 0.58), Underweight(AOR = 2.39, 95% CI: 1.10, 5.19)chemotherapy duration ≥ 6 months or more (AOR = 2.36, 95% CI: 1.16, 4.79) were notably associated with depression.ConclusionThe burden of depression among cancer patients in this study was high. We recommend concerned bodies working to curve the problem to intervene based on the identified risk factors. Improving educational status, reducing work stress and maintaining normal weight would reduce depression.