Prevalence of Stress and Depression among Service Recipients at the Ubonratchathani Cancer Hospital During the Covid-19 Pandemic Situation

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on public mental health. This cross-sectional analytical study aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with the stress and depression among service recipients at the Ubon Ratchathani Cancer Hospital, Thailand during first, second and third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic situation. The sample selected using purposive sampling comprised 300 service recipients. Instrument included  a questionnaire about 1) the demographics, 2) stress (ST5), and 3) depression risk assessment (2Q; 9Q). The data were analyzed by descriptive statistics and ordinal logistic regression. The results of this research showed that the prevalence of stress symptoms was 12% for the moderate to severe level and 54% for the depression risk, while the prevalence of depressive symptoms was 19% for the mild to severe depression level. The multivariate analysis revealed that the most consistent significant factors associated with the stress symptoms were the respondents who received service during the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand and cancer patients. Statistically significant increased risks of depression in service recipients were those respondents who received service during the first and third waves of the COVID-19 pandemic, cancer patients, age, and stress symptoms. From the results of this study, it was concluded that service recipients at the Ubon Ratchathani Cancer Hospital, were different during the pandemic period with regard to the risk of stress and depression. Therefore, there should be surveillance, screening, and mental healthcare guidelines for reducing the impact that could occur in vulnerable groups, so to be able to have the empowerment of a proper livelihood in the situation of the COVID-19 pandemic.