Prevalence and Determinants of Depression among Women with Breast Cancer in Middle Euphrates Cancer Center in Najaf Province -Iraq

Abstract

Background: Breast cancer (BC) is the most prevalent cancer among women worldwide. The psychosocial consequences of illness among women with BC are so frequent that they result in depression and other psychological distress. Objectives: The present study aims to estimate the prevalence of depression among BC patients and to identify the potential determinants.                                                 Patients & Methods: An analytic cross-sectional study of patients with BC was carried out throughout the period from January 2016 to July 2016 at the Middle Euphrates Cancer Center in Najaf Province-Iraq.  Results: According to the results of BDI-ӀӀ questionnaire, 65 patients (37.1%) were screened as having depression and 110 patients (62.9%) were considered normal. The mean score for depression ± SD is equal to 13.60 ±8.78. The data analysis has found that 12.0%, 21.7%, and 3.4% of respondents had borderline, moderate depression, and severe depression, respectively while the binary logistic regression analysis has shown that cases with inadequate income (P= 0.010, OR =2.52, 95% C.I = 1.28-5.08), and lower educational attainment (P= 0.031, OR = 2.34, 95% C.I = 1.07-4.90) were more likely to have depression.  Conclusion: it has been found that depression among women with BC is a considerable issue. Inadequate income and lower educational attainment can be independent risk factors for such a depression.