Caring for patients with cancer in Qatar: the impact on the mental health of voluntary caregivers

Background: Cancer is a disease where both patients and caregivers receive and provide care, respectively, for extended periods of time, and often amidst challenging personal conditions. In Qatar, with cancer as the third largest cause of death, cancer care has become a national healthcare priority. However, the needs of informal caregivers who are experiencing various psychological issues such as anxiety, depression, and stress are overlooked due to the demanding and time-consuming nature of the care of patients with cancer. Aim: The aim of this research is to identify the prevalence of psychological issues (anxiety, depression, and stress) among informal Arabic speaking caregivers of patients with cancer. Methodology: The research utilized the Arabic version of Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS21) test to measure the anxiety, depression and stress among caregivers of patients with cancer. A total of 128 participants participated in the study. Results: According to DASS 21, the results revealed that the overall prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress in this study was found to be 57%, 52%, and 50%, respectively. Conclusion: The research concluded that voluntary care givers of patients with cancer were found to experience high levels of depression, anxiety and stress.