Evaluation of Anxiety Levels of Caregivers Whose Relatives are Cancer Patients During the Covid-19 Pandemic

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the anxiety levels of individuals caring for cancer patients during the COVID-19 pandemic and to determine the factors associated with the discontinuation of caregiving. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 150 caregivers. A questionnaire consisting of sociodemographic characteristics and caregiving-related questions, together with the Beck Anxiety Inventory, was administered to the participants. Relationships between variables were analyzed using the chi-square test, Fisher’s exact test, and Student’s t test/Mann–Whitney U test. A P value of <.05 was considered to indicate statistical significance. Results: Among the participants, 55.3% were found to have minimal or no anxiety. In addition, 35.3% reported that they had considered stopping caregiving. The consideration of the cessation of caregiving was significantly associated with educational level (P=.04) and smoking status (P=.01). Furthermore, female participants were observed to have higher levels of anxiety (P=.006). Conclusion: During the COVID-19 pandemic, a considerable proportion of caregivers experienced anxiety symptoms, and certain sociodemographic factors were found to be associated with caregiving-related decisions. These findings highlight the importance of evaluating caregivers in terms of psychological support and follow-up.