Depression among cancer caregivers in a rural setting.xlsx

Background

Palliative care services
involve the psychological care of caregivers of cancer patients. Psychological
conditions especially depression among caregivers distort caregiving roles,
thus, worsening prognosis and increasing patient suffering.

Objective

To determine the prevalence
and associated factors for depression among caregivers of cancer patients at a rural
cancer care facility in Uganda.

MethodsParticipants and sample
size

The sample size of 366 was calculated
using the Kish-Leslie formula, basing on an estimated prevalence of 38.2% among
caregivers of cancer patients, level of attrition of
10%, 95% confidence interval and margin of error 5%.

We included
caregivers of cancer patients aged 18 years and above who consented to participate
in the study by convenience sampling based on the caregivers present during the
time of data collection – in the evening (convenience time for most caregivers) when the caregivers were not so occupied with
caregiving activities. Caregivers who were already receiving mental health care
for depression (as reported by the caregiver) were excluded from the study. Because
the study was screening for individuals who need treatment and those were already
on treatment.

Data collection

Trained research assistants (RA)
with training in counselling and Responsible Conducted of Research (RCR),
administered the translated 30-minute-long questionnaire (written form). This
questionnaire captured the participants’ sociodemographic characteristics; age,
sex, marital status, level of education, employment status, religion, and monthly
income. The questionnaire also captured a stressful life event experienced and
having a social support group.

Depression was assessed using the
patient health questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9).

Ethical
consideration

The
study complied with the ethical guidelines of the Declarations of Helsinki. The
study was approved by The Aids Support Organisation (TASO) Uganda Limited research
ethics committee, reference number (#TASOREC/054/2020-UG-REC-009). Permission for
data collection was obtained from MRRH administration. All
participants provided written consent to participate in the study. For participant
who did not know how to read and write, the consent was read out loud to them in
their preferred language and consented in the presence of their chosen witness comfortable
in reading and writing. Caregivers with severe depression were provided
with counselling sessions by the psychologist on the team (SN) and referred to
the psychiatry unit for further management by the psychiatrist on the team (RN
& MMK).