Measurement of psychological distress among the Caretakers and Medication Adherence in Cancer Patients Treated with Complementary and Alternative Medicines
Keywords:
Morisky Medication Adherence Scale, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Complementary and Alternative Medications, Cancer, CaretakersAbstract
Context: Cancer patients and their family member has a high level of anxiety and depression after diagnosis of cancer, which brings a lot of changes in their routine activity. It has been widely known that there is no definite cure for it. In recent days, patients seek for adjunct or regular therapy in addition to chemotherapies
Aims: The present study aims to assess the psychological levels in caretakers and the medication adherence of cancer patients treated with complementary and alternative medicines.
Methods and Material: The psychological status of caretakers and Medication adherence among cancer patients were assessed by Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and Morisky Medication Adherence Scale scales respectively.
Settings and Design: This study was designed as a quasi-experimental design.
Statistical analysis were performed for quantitative variables and to compare independent variables by using Kruskal–Wallis and chi square tests respectively.
Results: 31.45% of participants were in the age group of 40-49 years and males were predominant (55.63%). Most of the study participants have chosen the ayurvedic type of treatment (32.39%). 24.41% were having lung cancer. Overall medication adherence was found to be good (62.20%) with a very high degree of anxiety and depression levels (84.75%).
Conclusions: It has been observed that most of the patients had appropriate medication adherence and they rarely discontinued medications even if they sense a worsening their health condition. The medication adherence was found to be moderate. The present findings have shown that the occurrence of anxiety and depression was very high level in caretakers of cancer patients. The present study recommends that pharmacists can provide counseling on the handling of psychological aspects and the importance of medication adherence, especially for cancer patients.
