查看文章

Cancer incidence in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is increasing and family caregivers (FCGs) play a critical role in ensuring good patient outcomes. FCGs face enormous caregiving and social demands, and this leads to psychological and mental health problems, for which they receive no support or care.

To describe the extent of depression and anxiety symptoms among FCGs of adult cancer patients (ACPs) and the associated factors.

A descriptive cross-sectional design and standardized scales (hospital anxiety and depression scale, caregiver reaction scale, and Katz index) were used to assess anxiety and depressive symptoms, and impact of caregiving on the physical health of 284 FCGs of ACPs in Uganda.

The majority of FCGs were caring for ACPs with stage 3 or 4 cancer (56%) and severe or very severe pain (73.1%). The prevalence of anxiety (35.2%) or severe anxiety (20 …