Prevalence of Depression and Associated Factors Among Patients with Cancer at Public Hospitals in Eastern Ethiopia, 2024

Jerman Dereje; Samuel Demissie Darcho; Kidist Mehari Azene; Bethelhem Fekadeselassie Lemma; Lemesa Abdisa; Olifan Getachew Wakjira

doi:doi:10.11648/j.rs.20251003.12

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Prevalence of Depression and Associated Factors Among Patients with Cancer at Public Hospitals in Eastern Ethiopia, 2024

Jerman Dereje^*

, Samuel Demissie Darcho

, Kidist Mehari Azene, Bethelhem Fekadeselassie Lemma, Lemesa Abdisa

, Olifan Getachew Wakjira

Published in Rehabilitation Science (Volume 10, Issue 3)

Received: 23 August 2025 Accepted: 9 September 2025 Published: 28 October 2025

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Abstract

Depression is a major public health problem among cancer patients. One in three people with cancer experience depression or anxiety disorders before, during, or after treatment. Currently, there is little data on the prevalence of depression among cancer patients in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of depression among patients with cancer attending public hospitals in Harar town, eastern Ethiopia. An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 342 patients with cancer attending public hospitals in Harar town, eastern Ethiopia, from June 1-30, 2024. A systematic random sampling technique was used to recruit participants. Depression was assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). The collected data was entered into Epi-data 4.6 and imported to the statistical package for Social Science version 25 for analysis. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify associated factors with depression. The odds ratio (OR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) was used to assess the strength of the association. The prevalence of depression among patients with cancer was 43.9% (95% CI: 38.6, 49.2). Poor medication adherence (AOR = 3.98, 95% CI: 1.87, 8.51), poor social support (AOR = 2.14, 95% CI: 1.21, 3.79), unemployment (AOR = 2.31, 95% CI: 1.05, 5.04) were significantly associated with depression. In the current study, a significant number of patients with cancer had depression. Poor medication adherence, poor social support, and unemployment were significantly associated with depression among patients with cancer. Therefore, special attention should be given to patients with cancer with the mentioned risk factors of depression.

Published in	Rehabilitation Science (Volume 10, Issue 3)
DOI	10.11648/j.rs.20251003.12
Page(s)	43-51
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Prevalence, Associated Factors, Depression, Cancer Patient, Harar, Ethiopia

References

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APA Style

Dereje, J., Darcho, S. D., Azene, K. M., Lemma, B. F., Abdisa, L., et al. (2025). Prevalence of Depression and Associated Factors Among Patients with Cancer at Public Hospitals in Eastern Ethiopia, 2024. Rehabilitation Science, 10(3), 43-51. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.rs.20251003.12

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ACS Style

Dereje, J.; Darcho, S. D.; Azene, K. M.; Lemma, B. F.; Abdisa, L., et al. Prevalence of Depression and Associated Factors Among Patients with Cancer at Public Hospitals in Eastern Ethiopia, 2024. Rehabil. Sci. 2025, 10(3), 43-51. doi: 10.11648/j.rs.20251003.12

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AMA Style

Dereje J, Darcho SD, Azene KM, Lemma BF, Abdisa L, et al. Prevalence of Depression and Associated Factors Among Patients with Cancer at Public Hospitals in Eastern Ethiopia, 2024. Rehabil Sci. 2025;10(3):43-51. doi: 10.11648/j.rs.20251003.12

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@article{10.11648/j.rs.20251003.12,
  author = {Jerman Dereje and Samuel Demissie Darcho and Kidist Mehari Azene and Bethelhem Fekadeselassie Lemma and Lemesa Abdisa and Olifan Getachew Wakjira},
  title = {Prevalence of Depression and Associated Factors Among Patients with Cancer at Public Hospitals in Eastern Ethiopia, 2024
},
  journal = {Rehabilitation Science},
  volume = {10},
  number = {3},
  pages = {43-51},
  doi = {10.11648/j.rs.20251003.12},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.rs.20251003.12},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.rs.20251003.12},
  abstract = {Depression is a major public health problem among cancer patients. One in three people with cancer experience depression or anxiety disorders before, during, or after treatment. Currently, there is little data on the prevalence of depression among cancer patients in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of depression among patients with cancer attending public hospitals in Harar town, eastern Ethiopia. An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 342 patients with cancer attending public hospitals in Harar town, eastern Ethiopia, from June 1-30, 2024. A systematic random sampling technique was used to recruit participants. Depression was assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). The collected data was entered into Epi-data 4.6 and imported to the statistical package for Social Science version 25 for analysis. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify associated factors with depression. The odds ratio (OR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) was used to assess the strength of the association. The prevalence of depression among patients with cancer was 43.9% (95% CI: 38.6, 49.2). Poor medication adherence (AOR = 3.98, 95% CI: 1.87, 8.51), poor social support (AOR = 2.14, 95% CI: 1.21, 3.79), unemployment (AOR = 2.31, 95% CI: 1.05, 5.04) were significantly associated with depression. In the current study, a significant number of patients with cancer had depression. Poor medication adherence, poor social support, and unemployment were significantly associated with depression among patients with cancer. Therefore, special attention should be given to patients with cancer with the mentioned risk factors of depression.
},
 year = {2025}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Prevalence of Depression and Associated Factors Among Patients with Cancer at Public Hospitals in Eastern Ethiopia, 2024

AU  - Jerman Dereje
AU  - Samuel Demissie Darcho
AU  - Kidist Mehari Azene
AU  - Bethelhem Fekadeselassie Lemma
AU  - Lemesa Abdisa
AU  - Olifan Getachew Wakjira
Y1  - 2025/10/28
PY  - 2025
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.rs.20251003.12
DO  - 10.11648/j.rs.20251003.12
T2  - Rehabilitation Science
JF  - Rehabilitation Science
JO  - Rehabilitation Science
SP  - 43
EP  - 51
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2637-594X
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.rs.20251003.12
AB  - Depression is a major public health problem among cancer patients. One in three people with cancer experience depression or anxiety disorders before, during, or after treatment. Currently, there is little data on the prevalence of depression among cancer patients in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of depression among patients with cancer attending public hospitals in Harar town, eastern Ethiopia. An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 342 patients with cancer attending public hospitals in Harar town, eastern Ethiopia, from June 1-30, 2024. A systematic random sampling technique was used to recruit participants. Depression was assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). The collected data was entered into Epi-data 4.6 and imported to the statistical package for Social Science version 25 for analysis. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify associated factors with depression. The odds ratio (OR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) was used to assess the strength of the association. The prevalence of depression among patients with cancer was 43.9% (95% CI: 38.6, 49.2). Poor medication adherence (AOR = 3.98, 95% CI: 1.87, 8.51), poor social support (AOR = 2.14, 95% CI: 1.21, 3.79), unemployment (AOR = 2.31, 95% CI: 1.05, 5.04) were significantly associated with depression. In the current study, a significant number of patients with cancer had depression. Poor medication adherence, poor social support, and unemployment were significantly associated with depression among patients with cancer. Therefore, special attention should be given to patients with cancer with the mentioned risk factors of depression.

VL  - 10
IS  - 3
ER  -

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Author Information

Jerman Dereje

Department of Psychiatry, Haramaya University, Harar, Ethiopia

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5845-8458
Samuel Demissie Darcho

School of Public Health, Haramaya University, Harar, Ethiopia

http://orcid.org/0009-0002-2242-7489
Kidist Mehari Azene

Ethiopian Public Health Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Bethelhem Fekadeselassie Lemma

Commercial Bank of Ethiopia Clinic, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Lemesa Abdisa

School of Nursing, Haramaya University, Harar, Ethiopia

http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6912-1025
Olifan Getachew Wakjira

School of Medicine, Haramaya University, Harar, Ethiopia

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APA Style

Dereje, J., Darcho, S. D., Azene, K. M., Lemma, B. F., Abdisa, L., et al. (2025). Prevalence of Depression and Associated Factors Among Patients with Cancer at Public Hospitals in Eastern Ethiopia, 2024. Rehabilitation Science, 10(3), 43-51. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.rs.20251003.12

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ACS Style

Dereje, J.; Darcho, S. D.; Azene, K. M.; Lemma, B. F.; Abdisa, L., et al. Prevalence of Depression and Associated Factors Among Patients with Cancer at Public Hospitals in Eastern Ethiopia, 2024. Rehabil. Sci. 2025, 10(3), 43-51. doi: 10.11648/j.rs.20251003.12

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AMA Style

Dereje J, Darcho SD, Azene KM, Lemma BF, Abdisa L, et al. Prevalence of Depression and Associated Factors Among Patients with Cancer at Public Hospitals in Eastern Ethiopia, 2024. Rehabil Sci. 2025;10(3):43-51. doi: 10.11648/j.rs.20251003.12

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.rs.20251003.12,
  author = {Jerman Dereje and Samuel Demissie Darcho and Kidist Mehari Azene and Bethelhem Fekadeselassie Lemma and Lemesa Abdisa and Olifan Getachew Wakjira},
  title = {Prevalence of Depression and Associated Factors Among Patients with Cancer at Public Hospitals in Eastern Ethiopia, 2024
},
  journal = {Rehabilitation Science},
  volume = {10},
  number = {3},
  pages = {43-51},
  doi = {10.11648/j.rs.20251003.12},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.rs.20251003.12},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.rs.20251003.12},
  abstract = {Depression is a major public health problem among cancer patients. One in three people with cancer experience depression or anxiety disorders before, during, or after treatment. Currently, there is little data on the prevalence of depression among cancer patients in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of depression among patients with cancer attending public hospitals in Harar town, eastern Ethiopia. An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 342 patients with cancer attending public hospitals in Harar town, eastern Ethiopia, from June 1-30, 2024. A systematic random sampling technique was used to recruit participants. Depression was assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). The collected data was entered into Epi-data 4.6 and imported to the statistical package for Social Science version 25 for analysis. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify associated factors with depression. The odds ratio (OR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) was used to assess the strength of the association. The prevalence of depression among patients with cancer was 43.9% (95% CI: 38.6, 49.2). Poor medication adherence (AOR = 3.98, 95% CI: 1.87, 8.51), poor social support (AOR = 2.14, 95% CI: 1.21, 3.79), unemployment (AOR = 2.31, 95% CI: 1.05, 5.04) were significantly associated with depression. In the current study, a significant number of patients with cancer had depression. Poor medication adherence, poor social support, and unemployment were significantly associated with depression among patients with cancer. Therefore, special attention should be given to patients with cancer with the mentioned risk factors of depression.
},
 year = {2025}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Prevalence of Depression and Associated Factors Among Patients with Cancer at Public Hospitals in Eastern Ethiopia, 2024

AU  - Jerman Dereje
AU  - Samuel Demissie Darcho
AU  - Kidist Mehari Azene
AU  - Bethelhem Fekadeselassie Lemma
AU  - Lemesa Abdisa
AU  - Olifan Getachew Wakjira
Y1  - 2025/10/28
PY  - 2025
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.rs.20251003.12
DO  - 10.11648/j.rs.20251003.12
T2  - Rehabilitation Science
JF  - Rehabilitation Science
JO  - Rehabilitation Science
SP  - 43
EP  - 51
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2637-594X
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.rs.20251003.12
AB  - Depression is a major public health problem among cancer patients. One in three people with cancer experience depression or anxiety disorders before, during, or after treatment. Currently, there is little data on the prevalence of depression among cancer patients in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of depression among patients with cancer attending public hospitals in Harar town, eastern Ethiopia. An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 342 patients with cancer attending public hospitals in Harar town, eastern Ethiopia, from June 1-30, 2024. A systematic random sampling technique was used to recruit participants. Depression was assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). The collected data was entered into Epi-data 4.6 and imported to the statistical package for Social Science version 25 for analysis. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify associated factors with depression. The odds ratio (OR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) was used to assess the strength of the association. The prevalence of depression among patients with cancer was 43.9% (95% CI: 38.6, 49.2). Poor medication adherence (AOR = 3.98, 95% CI: 1.87, 8.51), poor social support (AOR = 2.14, 95% CI: 1.21, 3.79), unemployment (AOR = 2.31, 95% CI: 1.05, 5.04) were significantly associated with depression. In the current study, a significant number of patients with cancer had depression. Poor medication adherence, poor social support, and unemployment were significantly associated with depression among patients with cancer. Therefore, special attention should be given to patients with cancer with the mentioned risk factors of depression.

VL  - 10
IS  - 3
ER  -

Copy | Download