Levels of depression, anxiety, and stress among cancer patients in Ho Chi Minh City: Sociodemographic characteristics and cancer-related factors

Abstract

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in Vietnam. The prevalence of mental health issues among cancer patients in Vietnam is significantly higher than in many other countries. However, mental health care for this population has not received adequate attention due to the lack of evidence linking psychological well-being and cancer. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the factors affecting depression, anxiety, and stress among cancer patients in Ho Chi Minh City. The study was conducted on 230 voluntary patients through listening, reading, and responding to a questionnaire. The research results indicated that factors such as age, gender, disease stage, and current treatment methods do not significantly affect the rates of mental disorders. However, better financial stability, higher education levels, good health history, and awareness of avoiding pain relief medication during treatment were factors that could reduce the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress among cancer patients. The findings from this study provide meaningful scientific suggestions for preventing and caring for the mental health of cancer patients in Vietnam.