Prevalence of anxiety and depression among cancer patients attending tertiary care hospital in Puducherry – A cross-sectional study

Palliative care interventions for cancer patients are usually more effective when they provide them with cues for using the knowledge related to their disease, which helps them adjust and live through the different phases of the illness. The objective of the study is to find the prevalence of anxiety and depression among cancer patients and to assess their quality of life (QOL). Hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 226 oncology patients attending tertiary care hospitals. After obtaining consent, one-to-one interviews were conducted with cancer patients using a standard questionnaire. Depression anxiety stress scale 21 scale and World Health Organization Quality of Life Brief Version (WHOQOL-BREF) scale were used. Ethical principles were adhered throughout the study. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software. Out of 226 cancer patients, majority of them 151 (66.8%) were in the age group of 30–59 years and 148 (66.5%) were female. It was found that 62 (27.4%) had stress, 178 (78.8%) had anxiety and 154 (68.1%) were in depression. The mean raw score in overall QOL is 3.27 ± 0.94 standard deviation (SD) and in general health is 3.46 ± 0.81) (SD). Marital status (P = 0.001) and duration since the diagnosis of cancer (P = 0.005) had significant association with the environmental domain of the QOL of patients. This study emphasizes the need for palliative care for psychosocial support to cancer patient to improve their QOL. Comprehensive management for cancer patients by providing family support and a patient-friendly environment is needed.