MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES IN WOMEN WITH GYNECOLOGIC CANCERS A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY
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Keywords
gynecological malignancies, psychological disorders, PRIME-MD PHQ, cancer
Abstract
Background: Numerous psychological effects of gynecologic cancers such as ovarian, cervical, and others exert threatening implications in addition to physical burdens.
Study design: A Cross-sectional Study.
Place and duration of study. Department of Psychiatry, Gyne & Obs and General Surgery, Mardan Medical Complex (MMC) Mardan From January 05-2020 to January 05-2021
Objectives: The purpose of this investigation is to assess the prevalence and consequences of psychological morbidity including anxiety, depression, and dissatisfaction with the body image among women with gynecological malignancies. This paper aims to investigate the demographic and clinical characteristics of the study participants about their mental health and evaluate the effects of social support for lessening psychological symptoms.
Methods: our study aims to establish the level of psychological distress in women with gynecological cancers. 35 participants recruited from communities, schools, and social networks underwent self-administered questionnaires about anxiety, depression, and body image dissatisfaction. Standardized sociodemographic and clinical questionnaires with data on age, income, and cancer stage were used. Cross tabulations and chi-square tests, measures of correlation, and regression were employed with a view of testing hypotheses on the various variables. Ethical approval was obtained from the MMC Mardan Ethics Committee
Results: Similar to the previous normative variables, the study also suggested a negative relationship between monthly family income and the anxiety and depression scores of the participants. Further, the comparison of the psychological distress of the specific type of cancer, showed that more progressive disease was associated with higher distress levels because of the unfavorable prognosis of the cancer and more potent therapeutic intervention. These findings suggest that mental health in gynecological cancer patients is partly shaped by socioeconomic status as well as disease progression.
Conclusion: Aging and disease stages play a significant role in mental health, pointing to the need to formulate effective interventions to improve them.
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Fatima
Assistant Professor Gynecology, Bacha Khan Medical College/Mardan Medical Complex, Mardan, Pakistan
Izaz Jamal
Assistant Professor Psychiatry Bacha Khan Medical College /Mardan Medical Complex Mardan, Pakistan
Muhammad Muslim Khan
Associate Professor Psychiatry, Bacha Khan Medical College/Mardan Medical Complex, Mardan, Pakistan
Ejaz Gul
Professor of Psychiatry, Bacha Khan Medical College/Mardan Medical Complex, Mardan, Pakistan
Hemasa Gul
Assistant Professor Gynecology, Bacha Khan Medical College /Mardan Medical Complex. Pakistan
Sabir Zaman
Senior Lecturer Psychology. Department of Psychology, Islamic International University, Islamabad, Pakistan