Depression, anxiety and their associated factors among patients with cancer receiving treatment at oncology units in Amhara Region, Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of anxiety and depression symptoms, and their associated factors among patients with cancer receiving cancer treatment in Amhara region oncology centres in Northwest, Ethiopia. DESIGN: Institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted. SETTING: Three oncology units at comprehensive hospitals in the Amhara region, Ethiopia. PARTICIPANTS: Adult patients who had a pathologically confirmed cancer diagnosis and received cancer therapy were our study participants. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale was used to assess anxiety and depression symptoms. RESULT: A total of 392 patients with cancer participated in this study, of which 57.1% (95% CI 52.1% to 62.1%) and 60.2% (95% CI 55.2% to 65.1%) had anxiety and depression, respectively. Poor social support (adjusted OR, AOR=4.43, 95% CI (1.70 to 11.50)), poor performance status (AOR=1.97, 95% CI (1.02 to 3.79)) and increased pain severity (AOR=1.30, 95% CI (1.14 to 1.48)) were factors associated with anxiety. Furthermore, poor performance status (AOR=2.77, 95% CI: (1.42, 5.39)) and pain severity (AOR=1.25, 95% CI: (1.11 to 1.42)) were significantly associated with depression. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION: Anxiety and depression were common among patients with cancer. Social support, performance status and pain were determinant factors of anxiety in patients with cancer. Moreover, performance status and pain were associated with depressive symptoms. Therefore, patients with low social support, poor performance status and severe pain should get special emphasis.