Mental Distress and Fears and Their Association with Health Care Access and Non-Adherence of Patients with Cancer to Treatment during COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Background:The COVID-19 pandemic significantly challenged cancer patients' health and disease management. Objective(s): Assessment of mental distress and fears and their association with access to health care and non-adherence of patients with cancer to treatment during COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: The study was conducted using a cross sectional approach. Data was collected from 285 randomly selected patients with cancer from a sizeable university hospital. The collected data included sociodemographic characteristics, medical histories, and medication adherence. The Kessler 6-item fear of COVID-19, fear of cancer recurrence scale, and medication adherence report scale were used. Results: Breast cancer was the most prevalent type of cancer (44.9%). About 23.2% of patients reported experiencing more mental distress during the pandemic. The mean values of the COVID-19 and cancer recurrence fear scales were 13.2 and 11.3, respectively. More than half (51.9%) of interviewees reported decreased access to healthcare services, primarily because of hospital precautions and a shortage in prescription drugs (39.9% and 39.2%, respectively). A greater fear score of cancer recurrence, younger age, higher mental health distress, and the perceived influence of COVID-19 on social life were the significant variables associated with a rising COVID-19 fear score. Conclusion:The pandemic adversely affected patients with cancer access to care, mental health, and treatment adherence. Appropriate policies should be considered to mitigate this impact in future similar events.