Psychological Status of Cancer Patients Caregivers in Baghdad

Abstract

Introduction: Cancer is one of the leading causes of death, is a disorder in which differentiated body cells change at a molecular level resulting in the loss of normal cell regulation, characteristics, and functions. Today, millions of people are living with cancer or have had cancer. Cancer patients need care and assistance from their family members, friends, as well as medical personnel. The study aimed to assess the psychological status among family caregivers of cancer patients.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional design was undertaken on 120 caregivers of cancer patients who were admitted to three Cancer hospitals in Baghdad, Data were collected by using GHQ-12 (general health questionnaire), to determine of psychological status from the 21th November (2021) to 20th July (2022). Data were analyzed by using descriptive and inferential statistics (percentage, frequency, and correlation).

Results: The result of the study shows that 54.2% of caregivers were suffering from moderate psychological distress. There was statistically significant at the level of p=0.05. there was an association between psychological distress and socio-demographic variables like the relationship to a cancer patient (0.023), personal habits (0.043), and care for cancer patients at home (0.046).

Conclusion: The investigator observed that the caregivers of cancer patients were having psychological problems and the caregivers who were having emotional problems they are more closed to patient and spend many times with them. Our results suggest that eliciting the perspectives of both understanding of their experience