Depression and Associated Factors Amongparents who Have Children Diagnosed with Cancer at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 2017
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2017-06
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Background: Cancer affects all human kind involving all age groups and gender. When the
disease occurs in children, parents are negatively influenced socially and psychologically leading
them to the development of depression representing a group prone to high levels of depression.
The period following their child’s diagnosis and the initiation of treatment may be stressful and
disturbing leading them to depression.
Objective: the aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of depression and its associated
factors among parents of children diagnosed with cancer at Tikur Anbessa specialized Hospital.
Methods: A mixed approach quantitative and qualitative cross-sectional study design was
employed from April 1st to May 15th 2017. Systematic random sampling technique was used
evolving 275 study participants for the quantitative part and participants for the qualitative part
were included conveniently. Study subjects for the qualitative study were subjects who are not
involved in the quantitative study. Structured interviewer guided instrument was used to gather
information from study subjects for the quantitative part and an in-depth interview guide was
used for the qualitative section. Descriptive statistics including, frequencies and proportions was
employed to describe the sociodemographic characteristics Bivariate and multivariate analysis
using Odds ratio was utilized to evaluate association between dependent and independent
variables. P-value less than 0.05 was considered as level of significance for associations.
Result: the prevalence of depression among parents of children diagnosed with cancer in this
study was borderline depression, 7.3 %, moderate depression 6.2%, severe depression, 6.5 % and
extreme severe depression 3.3%. Four variables showed statically significant association with
parental depression which include, single parents {AOR=6.2; 95% CI (2.66-14.52) } , income
greater than 4500 birr {AOR=0.34; 95% CI (0.02-0.87) }, no previous history of depression
{AOR=0.18; 95% CI (0.07-0.43) } } and support source from insurance company {AOR=12.89;
95% CI (3.12-53.18) } are respectively.
Conclusion and recommendation: parents of children diagnosed with cancer are at a greater
risk of development of depression due to the fact that the disease is life threatening. Factors
associated to the development of parental depression involves being single parenting, income,
presence of history of depression and other support sources. Therefore, linking the parents to the
support groups, psychosocial support from health care providers, governmental and non-
governmental organizations collaboration help to alleviate the condition.
Key words, Parental depression, cancer, parents
Description
Keywords
Parental depression, Cancer, Parents