Depression, Associated Factors, and Coping Mechanisms among Caregivers of Children with Cancer at Mobile Hospice Mbarara, Uganda: A Cross-Sectional Study

Authors

  • Jackline Ninyikiriza Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Bishop Stuart University, P.O. Box 09, Mbarara, Uganda. Author
  • Anne Tweheyo Otwiine Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Bishop Stuart University, P.O. Box 09, Mbarara, Uganda. Author
  • Jordan Amanyire Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Bishop Stuart University, P.O. Box 09, Mbarara, Uganda. Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51168/4wkbh528

Keywords:

Depression, caregivers, pediatric cancer, coping mechanisms, palliative care, Uganda

Abstract

Background

Caregivers of children with cancer experience substantial psychological, emotional, and socioeconomic challenges that increase their risk of depression. This study assessed the prevalence of depression, factors associated with depression, and coping mechanisms among caregivers of children with cancer attending Mobile Hospice Mbarara, Uganda.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 117 caregivers of children with cancer attending Mobile Hospice Mbarara, consecutively recruited and interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Depression was assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), with a score of ≥10 indicating depression. Factors associated with depression were identified using modified Poisson regression with robust standard errors, with results presented as crude and adjusted prevalence ratios (CPR/APR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Statistical significance was set at p<0.05.

Results

The prevalence of depression is 35.9% (42/117; 95% CI: 27.2–45.3%). Male sex (APR=1.68, 95% CI: 1.20–2.35), lack of emotional support (APR=1.61, 95% CI: 1.04–2.50),

hopelessness (APR=2.67, 95% CI: 1.58–4.52), late-stage cancer (APR=3.00, 95% CI: 1.99–4.54), terminal prognosis (APR=1.59, 95% CI: 1.08–2.34), providing care for more than 12 hours per day (APR=2.28, 95% CI: 1.30–4.01), lack of caregiving training (APR=1.69, 95% CI: 1.03–2.76), and irregular meal intake (rarely: APR=3.01, 95% CI: 1.38–6.55; sometimes: APR=2.62, 95% CI: 1.15–6.01) were independently associated with a higher prevalence of depression. Prayer, talking to family, seeking information, relaxation, and music or hobbies were universal coping strategies (100%), while exercise was the least frequently reported (36.8%).

Conclusions

More than one in three caregivers of children with cancer at Mobile Hospice Mbarara experienced depression.  Inadequate emotional support and prolonged caregiving hours were independently associated with depression

Recommendation

Psychosocial support, caregiver training, and nutritional counselling in pediatric oncology and palliative care services may improve caregiver mental health and strengthen the quality of care provided to children with cancer.

Author Biographies

  • Jackline Ninyikiriza, Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Bishop Stuart University, P.O. Box 09, Mbarara, Uganda.

    is a Ugandan midwife and health educator who holds a Bachelor of Medical Education from Makerere University, a Diploma in Health Service Management from Kabale University, a Diploma in Midwifery from Mulago School of Nursing and Midwifery, and a Certificate in Midwifery from Ibanda School of Nursing and Midwifery. She is currently pursuing a Degree of Master of Public Health at Bishop Stuart University

  • Anne Tweheyo Otwiine, Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Bishop Stuart University, P.O. Box 09, Mbarara, Uganda.

    holds a PhD in Counselling Psychology from Makerere University and serves as Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences and Senior Lecturer at Bishop Stuart University, where she has taught since 2017. Her career spans leadership roles in psychology and counselling education, including years at Uganda Christian University, board positions with the Uganda Counselling Association and Uganda Council of Psychologists, and involvement in NIH- and USAID-funded research alongside publications on career guidance, HIV/AIDS, and mental health. Beyond academia, she consults for organizations like New Vision and Brainwave Careers Uganda, sits on several institutional boards and committees, and is active in mentoring and shaping health education across Southwestern Uganda.

  • Jordan Amanyire, Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Bishop Stuart University, P.O. Box 09, Mbarara, Uganda.

    is a lecturer in the Department of Public Health and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Nursing and Health Sciences, at Bishop Stuart University. He is a trained public health specialist, counselor, and nursing officer, holding a Master's Degree in Public Health from Kampala International University along with a Diploma in Comprehensive Nursing and a Certificate in Counseling, and he currently completed his PhD in Public Health at Mbarara University of Science and Technology. Before joining Bishop Stuart University, he worked as a Nursing Officer for Mbarara District Local Government for two years and spent 12 years with TASO in various roles.

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Published

2026-08-31

Issue

Vol. 3 No. 3 (2026): August 2026 issue

Section

Section of Pediatric Surgery

License

Copyright (c) 2026 Ninyikiriza Jackline, Dr. Otwiine Anne Tweheyo, Amanyire Jordan (Author)

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

Depression, Associated Factors, and Coping Mechanisms among Caregivers of Children with Cancer at Mobile Hospice Mbarara, Uganda: A Cross-Sectional Study (Jackline Ninyikiriza, A. Tweheyo Otwiine, & J. Amanyire, Trans.). (2026). SJ Pediatrics and Child Health Africa, 3(3), 13. https://doi.org/10.51168/4wkbh528

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