TO ASSESS THE LEVEL OF STRESS AND ANXIETY AMONG THE CAREGIVERS OF CHILDREN WITH CANCER IN SELECTED AREAS. A STUDY PROTOCOL.

Background: Children diagnosed with cancer pose signicant challenges to their families, impacting them physically, psychologically, economically, and behaviourally. These effects manifest as increased vulnerability and a decline in the overall quality of life and functioning within the family unit. However, despite these challenges, families and caregivers of paediatrics cancer patients can adapt to the difculties associated with the diagnosis and medical treatment. Parents, who play a central role in the care of their children, are particularly affected when faced with the diagnosis of a chronic illness. It is noteworthy that parents may display physical and emotional symptoms, including a sense of loss of control, diminished self-esteem, depression, and anxiety. Moreover, they face an elevated risk of developing mental health issues. Therefore, it is crucial to assess the mental health status of parents and address their specic care giving needs. Aims:- The present study aims to assess the level of stress and anxiety among the caregivers of children with cancer. Methodology: A cross sectional study was carried out. Sample size was calculated to be 100 using the formula n=Za 2 pq/d2 taking p=0.412%. The stress of caregiver was assessed by using rating scale and the Anxiety was assessed by using Beck Anxiety Inventory scale. Result: Majority of study subject were in the age of 29-33 years (70%), and majority were Hindu (58%).63% Of the caregivers live as a nuclear family.36% were having income level Rs.10001-15000. For assessing the level of stress the score is divided into three groups mild (0-17), moderate (18-35), severe (36-50) in the same way the score of anxiety is also divided into three group (0-21) mild anxiety, (22- 35) is moderate anxiety and 36 and above is severe anxiety, in the present study 13% caregivers mild stress and 18% caregivers shows low level of anxiety, 61% had moderate stress and 53% had moderate anxiety and 26% had severe stress and 29 % had potentially concerning level of anxiety. The result shows that average level of stress level was 28.73 with standard deviation of 9.83.the minimum score was 14 with maximum score of 48 simultaneously the average anxiety level was 32.20 with standard deviation of 12.03. The minimum score of anxiety was 14 with maximum score of 62.Stress and Anxiety was found to be signicantly association with the demographic variables like occupation, income and stage of cancer. Conclusion: The study nding shows that there is signicant correlation and association between stress and anxiety among the caregivers of children with cancer.