MGHD 2018

Background: Depression among Cancer patients can be as high as 58%. In general, it affects approximately 18% of people in developed countries and 9% in developing countries. Without proper screening and diagnosis, the necessary care and follow-up would not be possible for these patients. Few studies have been conducted in East African countries to assess the prevalence of depression in cancer patients. In order to improve service delivery and patient care in oncology, the mental health and oncology departments at the Butaro Cancer Center of Excellence in Butaro Hospital collaboratively implemented an initiative in December 2017 to screen depression among oncology patients using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 item scale (PHQ-9). Objective: By April 2018, this study aimed to identify the prevalence of depression using the PHQ-9 and to describe the demographics of the adult patients receiving oncology care at the BCCE from the period of December 4th to the 20th, 2017. The results of this study will benefit the population suffering from cancer by enabling them to be referred and to receive appropriate care for depression, thus improving their quality of life (QOL). Method: A cross-sectional study was applied to audit the prevalence of depression among patients attending the Butaro Ambulatory Cancer Center (BACC) between December 4th to the 20th, 2017. Results The results of this study revealed a prevalence of depression of nearly 36%. Two variables were significantly associated with depression: Type of cancer (p=0.001) and socio-economic status (p=0.041). Conclusion: As the screening program is still at its early stages, additional studies are required to understand the association between the variables and depression, as well as to differentiate between depression triggered by cancer and pre-existing depression. The screening provided by the BACC also aims to improve the service delivery, improving the quality of life of patients with depression and cancer by having supporting evidence for policy making in Rwanda in regards of the screening for depression in people suffering from cancer.