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Identifying the prevalence of depression in adult cancer patients in Rwanda, a crosssectional study at the Butaro Cancer Center of Excellence
Date Issued
2018-04-14
Author(s)
David Kurt Figueroa Gonzalez
University of Global Health Equity
Abstract
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.
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.
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