Are stress, anxiety and depression salient in Arsenic-induced cancer?
arsenic induced cancer
Keywords:
Arsenic-induced cancer, stress, anxiety, depression, groundwater arsenic contamination, middle gangetic plainAbstract
Arsenic contaminated groundwater is a major public health problem in the Indo-Gangetic plains. Situation is worst in Bihar where 17 out of 38 districts are arsenic prone. Arsenic-induced cancer is the most prevalent fatal disease reported here. Unfortunately, the literature is depleted of findings about its’ psychological consequences. Objective of the study is to explore depression, anxiety and stress level of arsenic-induced cancer patients from arsenic affected gangetic plains of Bihar state. Comparative survey research was conducted with a sample of 112 participants (aged 32 - 60 years) drawn through purposive sampling. Out of which 52 were arsenic-induced cancer patients (without visible symptoms of arsenicosis) from middle gangetic arsenic prone area and 60 were healthy counterparts from non-arsenic districts of Bihar. Depression, stress and anxiety was assessed with Hindi adapted version of depression, anxiety and stress scales. Descriptive statistics (Mean & SD) and inferential statistics (t-test) were applied. The two groups were significantly different on the three emotional states of depression (t-value=6.986, p <0.001), anxiety (t-value=6.833, p <0.001) and stress (t-value=7.540, p <0.001). Anxiety, depression and stress were comparatively higher in the arsenic-induced cancer patients. The emotional states of arsenic-induced cancer patients are relatively poor thus salient and warrant immediate attention from the policy makers and service providers. This research provides base line findings related to stress, anxiety and depression experienced by arsenic-induced cancer patients. Further, could help policy makers to conceptualize and promote psychological interventions for this population keeping their emotional states in mind.
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