Psychological distress and its associated factors among cancer patients in Nepal: A cross-sectional study

Ankit Acharya, Princy Bhatta, Dharma Dev Bhatta, Murari Man Shrestha and Vishnu Prasad Sapkota

PLOS Mental Health, 2026, vol. 3, issue 3, 1-19

Abstract: Psychological distress, encompassing depression, anxiety, and stress, is common among individuals with cancer but remains inadequately recognized in many low- and middle-income countries, including Nepal. Despite growing emphasis on holistic cancer care, psychological aspects are often overshadowed by clinical and financial concerns. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of psychological distress among cancer patients in Nepal and to identify its associated sociodemographic, clinical, and economic factors. A cross-sectional study was conducted among cancer patients in two tertiary level referral hospitals in Nepal. The validated Nepali version of the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS‑21) was used to assess psychological distress. A total of 262 participants were enrolled. SPSS version 27 was used to perform cleaning, coding and analyses. Associations were examined using binary logistic regression, and adjusted odds ratios were estimated using multivariate logistic regression, with p-values

Date: 2026
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:plo:pmen00:0000419

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmen.0000419

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