Depression Symptoms among Patients with Lung Cancer and their Relations with Demographic Characteristics

Background: Different psychological symptoms are the most common phenomenon’s that patients with depression and chronic diseases suffer. Aims of the study: the study aims to assessment of depression symptoms among patients with lung cancer and their relations with demographic characteristics. Methodology: Descriptive analysis design is used to assess the level of depression among patients with lung cancer and to find out the relationship between the level of depression and age, gender, educational level, occupation, residence, number of admission, marital status, and monthly income. The study period started in September 15th, 2020 to April 15th, 2021 at the Department of Oncology in Al- Diwaniya Teaching Hospital. total of (110) patients are selected of the oncology department in Al-Diwaniya Teaching Hospital. Ten patients were excluded of the study for the pilot study. So the total number of patients participating in the study was (100) patients. The depression Scale is consisting of 7 items self-rated questionnaire that involves two dimensions. Results: The vast majority of the patients are males (73%), and (85%) are married couples, (48%) the participants are housewives and unemployed, (62%) of lung cancer patients are urban. Concerning the significant differences between depression with patients' age, the study showed that there is a highly significant difference in depression symptoms with regard to older age patients at p-value= 0.001 respectively. Conclusion: Most lung cancer patients have severe levels of depression. Nearly two-thirds of the patients are older age, with low income, and urbanized. Recommendations: Encourage further efforts to improve the psychological and emotional status of lung cancer patients; especially by nursing staff after taking chemotherapy treatment and increase the level of awareness for lung cancer patients and their families about the nature and stage of the disease and how to minimize their distress. Also, encourage organized coordination between the oncology center and the ...