Predictors of Depression Among Cancer Patients Attending Lagos State University Teaching Hospital Ikeja, Lagos State, Nigeria (Published)
This study aims to identify the predictors of depression among cancer patients attending Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, Lagos. The specific objectives include examining the sociodemographic characteristics and clinical factors (cancer stage, treatment modalities, physical symptoms) associated with depression. A descriptive, cross-sectional design was adopted, targeting cancer patients above 18 years of age attending the oncology clinic for chemotherapy and follow-up appointments. The sample size was calculated to be 213 participants, selected using a non-probability convenient sampling technique. Data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire comprising sociodemographic data, the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and the Distress Thermometer. The results revealed that age is a significant sociodemographic predictor of depression among cancer patients, with older age groups experiencing higher levels of depressive symptoms. Clinical factors, particularly cancer treatments like chemotherapy and radiotherapy, were significantly associated with increased depression levels. Emotional problems such as nervousness, sadness, and worry were prevalent, highlighting the need for comprehensive care addressing both physical and psychological aspects. The study’s hypotheses testing confirmed a strong positive relationship between cancer treatments and higher depression levels, as well as between age and depression experience. These findings emphasize the importance of integrating psychological support with cancer treatment, especially for older patients and those undergoing intensive treatments. Tailored interventions focusing on emotional well-being and managing treatment side effects could improve the overall quality of life for cancer patients. Future research should explore specific psychosocial interventions to mitigate depression among this vulnerable population.
Keywords: Cancer, Depression, cancer patients, predictors
The Place of Environmental Literacy Education in Cancer Prevention among Rural Nigerian Communities (Published)
This paper is intended to portray the capacity of Environmental Literacy Education towards cancer prevention in Nigeria, particularly among the country’s rural communities. Reliable data from the World Health Organization show that about 1 in 6 deaths is due to cancer globally. For Nigeria, information from the Global Cancer Observatory affirms that cancer is responsible for about 72,000 deaths annually in the country. The rural communities in Nigeria have been shown in this paper to be very much vulnerable to cancer from various sources due to a host of social and economic deprivations, unfavourable environmental factors as well as mass illiteracy and cancer unawareness. Nigeria’s cancer prevention and care framework is an advocacy/awareness creation strategy which, unfortunately, lacks some vital content and delivery format. Following detailed analysis of the content, process and outcomes of Environmental Literacy Education (ELE) and its great potential to adequately inform/educate the rural community members about the nature and incidence of cancer and their individual/collective roles towards cancer prevention within their environment, the paper concludes and also recommends that ELE should occupy the pride of place in cancer prevention within Nigeria’s rural communities. The paper also suggests and expatiates on the various modes (Formal, Non-Formal and Informal) through which the required ELE could be effectively implemented.
Caroline Lewechi Eheazu and Ifeoma Felicia Uzoagu (2021) The Place of Environmental Literacy Education in Cancer Prevention among Rural Nigerian Communities, International Journal of Cancer, Clinical Inventions and Experimental Oncology, Vol.3, No.1, pp.1-23
Keywords: Cancer, Education, Nigeria’s rural communities, Prevention, environmental literacy, vulnerability to cancer.