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Background: Cancer is the second leading cause of death, responsible for 1 in 6 deaths globally and Caregivers play a major role in cancer patients' care and rehabilitation. They may face several psychological issues like depression along with physical and emotional disadvantages, and significant financial consequences. The objective of this study is to find out the associations of Depression with demographic variables among family caregivers of cancer patients in combined Military Hospital, Rawalpindi. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in the OPD and IPD of the Oncology department of CMH, Rawalpindi between February and July 2020. The 384 adult cancer patient's caregivers visiting oncology department were assessed to find out level of depression after getting informed consent. Data was collected by Demographic questionnaire and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) tool. Chi-square test and Likelihood ratio chi-square test used to find association. Results: Out of all 384 caregivers 181 (47.1 %) were males and 203 (52.9 %) were females. 267 (69.5 %) were diagnosed as non-depressive while 117 (30.5 %) were diagnosed as Depressive. A considerable association has been found between Depression and Age of caregivers (p= 0.006), Gender of caregivers (p <0.05), employment status of caregivers (0.02) and relationship to a cancer patient (p = 0.003). Conclusion: A high prevalence of depression is found in cancer patient's caregivers and Depression is significantly associated with Age of caregivers, Gender of caregivers, employment status of caregivers, and the relationship to cancer patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors stress the need for a cost effective treatment for cancer in the Pakistan Armed Forces. Topics covered include the rise in the cost of treatments as the medical technology advances, the task of the oncology formulary committee formulated at Combined Military Hospital Rawalpindi, and the increase in the number of cancer patients each year.