Assessing anxiety and depression among adult cancer patients at the National Center for Radiotherapy and Nuclear Medicine, Accra, Ghana

Cancer Diagnostics Conference & Expo

June 13-15, 2016 Rome, Italy

Samuel Yaw Opoku

University of Ghana, Ghana

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Cancer Sci Ther

Abstract :

Background: Anxiety and depression are common in patients with cancer. It is suggested that 40% of cancer patients develop clinical anxiety and/or depression after diagnosis and or during treatment. Anxiety is a normal reaction to stress which helps an individual deals with a tense situation. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate anxiety and depression levels among cancer patients receiving at the National Center for Radiotherapy and Nuclear Medicine, Accra Ghana, and to develop appropriate interventions to dealing with anxiety and depression. Method: Using a quantitative cross-sectional research design, data was gathered from cancer patients at the Radiotherapy Department of Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital. The tool used to collect was General Health Questionnaire and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (GHQ &HADS). The 14-item tool was used to gather information such as patient�s gender, age, education, religion, tumor information. The Study received ethical clearance from the Ethical and Protocol Review Committee of SBAHS, University of Ghana. Results: Data from 60 patients receiving radiotherapy at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital were evaluated. There were 47 women and 13 men. The study revealed that the participants experienced different levels of anxiety and depression. Based on the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, the mean anxiety and depression scores were 12.481 and 12.397 respectively. Conclusion: The study has identified that anxiety and depression was common and high among cancer patients receiving radiotherapy.

Biography :

Email: syopoku@chs.edu.gh