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Prevalence of depression among relatives of cancer patients in Jordan: A cross-sectional survey

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 February 2011

Nizar M. Mhaidat ,
Suleiman A. Ai-Sweedan ,
Karem H. Alzoubi ,
Sayer I. Alazzam ,
Mohammed N. Banihani ,
Muneer O. Bani Yasin  and
Majed M Massadeh
Nizar M. Mhaidat*
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan
Suleiman A. Ai-Sweedan
Affiliation:
Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan
Karem H. Alzoubi
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan
Sayer I. Alazzam
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan
Mohammed N. Banihani
Affiliation:
Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan
Muneer O. Bani Yasin
Affiliation:
Department of Computer Science, Faculty of Computer Science & Engineering, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan
Majed M Massadeh
Affiliation:
Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan
*
Address correspondence and reprint requests to: Nizar M. Mhaidat, Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, 22110, Jordan. E-mail: nizarm@just.eud.jo
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Abstract

Objective:

Depression is common among chronically ill patients and their relatives. In this article, we investigated the prevalence of depression among relatives of cancer patients in Jordan, and studied the relation between several socio-demographic, disease- and treatment-related factors, together with the occurrence of depression among those relatives.

Method:

A cross-sectional survey study was conducted at a major university hospital in Jordan. Relatives of cancer patients were interviewed for socio-demographic information, and medical records were checked for information about disease and treatment of patient. Psychological status of the relative was assessed using the Hospital Anxiety & Depression Scale (HADS).

Results:

The prevalence of depression in our sample was 81.9%. Age and degree of relatedness were significantly correlated with the occurrence of depression among relatives of cancer patients. Significant correlations were also detected between depression among patient's relatives and the stage of the disease. Positive predictive factors for depression included relatives being middle aged, close relatedness, patients being in advanced disease stage, and on chemotherapy or undergoing surgery for cancer treatment.

Significance of results:

Depression is prevalent among relatives of cancer patients. Therefore, more attention is needed to detect changes in the psychological state of vulnerable relatives of cancer patients, in an effort to reduce the occurrence of depression.

Keywords

DepressionCancerRelativesJordanHADS
Type
Original Articles
Information
Palliative & Supportive Care , Volume 9 , Issue 1 , March 2011 , pp. 25 - 29
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2011

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