Psychosocial health of patients with tobacco-related cancers in Assam, India.

Abstract

The diagnosis and effects of complicated cancer treatment often cause psychophysical distress in the patient. The psychosocial concerns that arise because of the diagnosis and treatment-seeking process of cancer are often overlooked. Considering the significance, the study attempts to understand the effect of treatment-seeking processes on the psychosocial health of tobacco-related cancer (TRC) patients. Using explanatory sequential design, 100 participants were interviewed in the quantitative phase of the study, followed by in-depth interviews of 11 participants who had diverse treatment-seeking experiences. Hindi version of the Self-Reporting Questionnaire 20 (SRQ-20) was used to examine the TRC patient's common mental disorders (CMD). A high incidence of CMD (73%) was reported by cancer patients in the Barak Valley of Assam. TRC patient's socio-demographic characteristics, health attributions and general existential questions regarding the diagnosis of cancer were found to influence their mental health. Also, it was revealed that informational supports were negatively correlated with the CMD of the patient. The study suggested for strengthening social support and networks at different levels to improve patient's psychosocial health. Emphasising on building small social institutions, it advocates for engaging practitioners of modern and alternative medicine to comprehensively address patient's psychosomatic needs.