Abstract
Reported Depression and Anxiety Symptoms among Caregivers of Children Diagnosed with Cancer in Maternity and Children Hospital in Buraydah, Qassim: A Cross-Sectional Study
Author(s): Mansour Alharbi*, Ebtisam Osman Mohammed, Elaf Alsalloom, Hetaf Alharbi, Jood Alsogaihi, Latifah Almutlaq, Sarah Alwuhayd and Shaden HameedBackground: Caregivers of pediatric cancer patients experience increased level of anxiety and distress. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of depression and anxiety symptoms among caregivers of children diagnosed with cancer in Prince Faisal Bin Bandar Center for Pediatric Oncology Department (FBCPOD) in Maternity and Children Hospital in Buraydah, Qassim.
Methodology: A cross-sectional survey conducted on 67 caregivers of pediatric oncology patients in Prince Faisal Bin Bandar Center for Pediatric Oncology Department (FBCPOD) in Maternity and Children Hospital in Buraydah, between January 2023 and June 2023. The survey tools included The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD- 7) questionnaire to assess depression and anxiety symptoms, respectively.
Results: A total of 67 caregivers were included in the study, with the majority falling within the age range of 31-40 years (58.2%) and being female (97.0%). The results of the PHQ-9 questionnaire indicated that a significant proportion of caregivers experienced mild to moderate depressive symptoms. Regarding the GAD- 7 questionnaire, a significant proportion of caregivers experienced mild to moderate levels of anxiety. Many caregivers reported feeling nervous, anxious, or on edge (64.2%) and excessive worrying (61.2%). The analysis revealed that none of the sociodemographic factors, demonstrated a significant association with the caregivers’ depressive or anxiety symptoms.
Conclusion: The study highlights the prevalence of mild to moderate depressive and anxiety symptoms among caregivers of children with cancer. However, no significant associations were found between these mental health outcomes and the sociodemographic characteristics of caregivers and children. These findings emphasize the need for targeted mental health support for caregivers, regardless of their demographic backgrounds, to ensure their well-being while caring for children with cancer.