European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

A DESCRIPTIVE STUDY TO ASSESS THE LEVEL OF DEPRESSION AMONG PATIENTS WITH CANCER IN SELECTED HOSPITALS AT MANGALURU

Linty Philip, Manju MM, Mareena Rani AF, Maria Thankachan, Meena Mohan, Soniamol Sunny and Janet Prima Miranda*

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Patients with cancer experiences varying level of depression from mild to severe. It is essential to assess the level of depression which helps health care professionals to contribute supportive care. Objectives: To assess the level of depression among patients with cancer, To find association of level of depression with various demographic variables. Methods: A quantitative approach with descriptive survey design was adopted. The study was conducted in selected hospitals at Mangalore. The variables under the study were depression and patients with cancer. The study sample consisted of 100 patients who were diagnosed with different stages of cancer. The tool used was Demographic proforma and standardized Beck depression inventory. The data was collected and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.Result: The study results revealed that maximum percentage(29%) were belongs to the age group of 51 to 60 years, majority (57%) of cancer patients were males, most (44%) of the cancer patients were Hindus, majority (78%) them were married, most (39%) of the patients had primary education, maximum percentage (68%) were working for daily wages, most (57%) of the patients were belongs to nuclear family, majority (76%) of them had monthly income between 10000-20000,majority of the people (54%) were suffering from cancer of gastrointestinal system, and most of the patients (65%) were in the second stage of cancer. This study showed that most (41.0%) of the patients suffering from moderate depression. Around 29 % are suffering from border line clinical depression, only 1% is suffering from extreme depression. Conclusion: The findings of the study revealed that majority of the patients are suffering from moderate depression and there was significant association between level depression and age, marital status, occupation, type of cancer and stage of cancer.

Keywords: Depression; Cancer.