Prevalence and Associated Factors of Anxiety and Depression among Patients with Cancer at Ibn Sina University Hospital, Rabat: A Cross-Sectional Study
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Objective: This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of anxiety and depression in Moroccan cancer patients and to identify associated sociodemographic and clinical factors.
Methods and Materials: We conducted a cross-sectional study among adults with cancer attending the radiotherapy department of Ibn Sina University Hospital, Rabat. Between September 2023 and December 2024, 246 of 296 approached patients completed the assessment. Sociodemographic and clinical data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Anxiety and depressive symptoms were measured with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), using scores ≥11 on each subscale to define cases. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics and bivariable and multivariable logistic regression in SPSS 20.
Findings: Participants had a mean age of 56.3 ± 14.6 years, 58.5% were women, and 66.6% had incomes <2000 dirhams. Gynecologic and breast cancers (43.9%) were the most frequent sites. The prevalence of anxiety and depression was 57.7% and 54.1%, respectively. In multivariable models, anxiety was independently associated with age 41–50 years, while depression was associated with younger age (≤30 years), medical history, chronic pain, and receipt of brachytherapy. No significant associations were found for education, income, or cancer site.
Conclusion: More than half of cancer patients in this oncology sample met HADS criteria for anxiety and depression, indicating a high burden of psychological distress. Routine screening and age- and symptom-sensitive psychosocial support should be integrated into cancer care pathways to improve patients’ quality of life.
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