Level of Depression among Family Care Givers of Cancer Patients

Abstract

Cancer, a leading cause of death worldwide and has serious impact on public health. More than one in three people will develop some form of cancer during their lifetime. The current study aimed to identify caregiver's burden and level of depression among family caregivers of patients with cancer. The study can help in creating baseline data on depression level and conducting future counseling program. A descriptive cross- sectional research design was applied to identify the level of depression among family caregivers of cancer patients in BPKMCH, Bharatpur, Chitwan, Nepal. To assess caregiver depression and its predictors, we used the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II). Fifty family caregivers of cancer patients were selected by using non- probability purposive sampling technique and a semi structure interview schedule were used to collect the data. The study finding revealed 66% had feeling of sadness, 56% had feeling of something bad is going to happen in future, 52% had feeling of failure in life, 84% had loss of pleasure in life, 20% had guilty feeling in life, 28% had felling of punished by someone, 58% had self-dislike, 24% had self-criticize, 28% had suicidal thought, 48% had feeling of crying, 66% had restless, 62% had loss of interest in daily activities, 58% had difficulty in decision making, 56 % had feeling of life is worthless,78% had loss of energy, 58% had difficulty in falling asleep,44% had felt irritated with others, 58% had change in appetite, 70 % had difficulty in concentration,70% had feeling of fatigue, 18% had loss of interest in sex. Overall level of depression among family caregivers of cancer patients, 34% had severe level of depression, 32% had moderate depression, 6% had mild depression and 28% had considered minimal range of depression. Though most of respondents did not know about the stage of cancer in their patients, they were still going through the depression. This study concluded that mostly moderate and severe level of depression among family caregivers and care burden was its best predictor. Interventions aimed at reducing the psychiatric effects of cancer should focus not only on the patient but also on the caregiver.