International Journal of Drug Delivery Technology
Volume 16, Issue 3, 2026

Evaluation of Stress, Anxiety and Depression Levels in Care Givers of Hospitalised Cancer Patients Using Dass-21 Scale Questionnaire-A Cross Sectional Study

Dr. Prathima Shetty1, Dr. Zubaida Musaina2, Dr. Namratha Alva3*, Dr. Veena K.M4, Dr. Prashanth Shenoy5, Dr. Rachana Prabhu6

1BDS, MDS Additional Professor, Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Yenepoya University, Mangalore, Karnataka, India. Email: dr_prathimashetty@yahoo.co.in

2BDS, MDS, Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Subbaiah institute of dental sciences Shivamogga, Karnataka, India. Email: musainateekay@gmail.com

3*BDS, MDS, Lecturer, Yenepoya Dental college, Yenepoya University, Mangalore, Karnataka, India. Email: dr_namratha@rediffmail.com. Corresponding Author.

4BDS, MDS, Head of the department, Yenepoya Dental college, Yenepoya University, Mangalore, Karnataka, India. Email: veenaomr@gmail.com

5BDS, MDS, Professor, Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Yenepoya University, Mangalore, Karnataka, India. Email: prashanthshenoy4@gmail.com

6BDS, MDS, Professor, Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Yenepoya University, Mangalore, Karnataka, India. Email: rachanaprabhu@yenepoya.edu.in

Received: 15th Dec, 2025; Revised: 10th Feb 2026; Accepted: 12th Feb, 2026; Available Online: 28th Feb, 2026


ABSTRACT

Background: Cancer is the most serious sickness that has a risk of death and may be traumatising for the patients. It also has significant impact on those who provide care for them in order to manage their physical, emotional, social and financial problems. Caregivers frequently prioritize the needs of their patients over their own, which can sometimes result in a decline in their own physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing.

Aim: This study aims to investigate stress, anxiety and depression levels in caregivers of cancer Patients.

Materials and methods: This cross-sectional investigation included 60 participants aged 20 to 70 years. Psychological well-being of caregivers was evaluated by measuring levels of depression, anxiety, and stress using the DASS-21 questionnaire.

Results: The study included participants aged between 20 and 70 years. The findings revealed a prevalence of stress in 35% of subjects, depression in 31.7%, and anxiety in 30%.

Conclusion: The study findings suggest the prevalence of stress, depression, anxiety were common among caregivers and so it is important to assess the mental health status and attend to the needs of Caregivers.

Keywords: cancer patient caregivers, depression, Anxiety, stress

How to cite this article: Shetty P, Musaina Z, Alva N, KM V, Shenoy P, Prabhu R. Evaluation of Stress, Anxiety and Depression Levels in Care Givers of Hospitalised Cancer Patients Using Dass-21 Scale Questionnaire-A Cross Sectional Study. Int J Drug Deliv Technol. 2026;16(3): 374-378. DOI: 10.25258/ijddt.16.3.42

Source of support: Nil.

Conflict of interest: None