A pre-post evaluation of a digital intervention to improve psychosocial outcomes of caregivers of people living with cancer in Vietnam.

AbstractObjectivesMethodsResultsConclusionTo evaluate a co-designed intervention using digital resources “Vietnam Cancer Caring Coping” (V-CCC) on the health literacy, depression, and quality of life of caregivers supporting a cancer patient in oncology hospitals in Vietnam.A pre-post quantitative evaluation with adult cancer caregivers across regional Oncology hospitals in Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Can Tho, and Hue). Participants completed baseline and follow-up measures of health literacy (HLS-SF12) depression (PHQ-9) and Health-related Quality of Life (5Q-5D-5L). Participants accessed and reviewed V-CCC for a 2-week period.Two hundred and thirty-four caregivers completed pre and post-tests. Most participants were female (<italic>n</italic> = 143, 61%), married (<italic>n</italic> = 165, 70%), aged 18–44 (<italic>n</italic> = 155, 66%), lived rurally (<italic>n</italic> = 157, 67%). All health literacy scores of participants in post-intervention were significantly higher than that in pre-intervention across all domain’s healthcare, disease prevention, and health promotion as well as the total score (<italic>p</italic> < 0.001). A significant reduction in the proportion of caregivers reporting PHQ-9 moderately severe/severe depression post-intervention was demonstrated (10.2 <italic>vs.</italic> 6.1%, respectively (<italic>p</italic> ≤ 0.001). No significant differences were observed pre and post-intervention across four 5Q-5D-5L health dimensions: mobility, self-care, usual activities, and pain/discomfort. Regarding anxiety/depression as measured by 5Q-5D-5L the proportion of participants who reported having moderate, severe, and extreme problems in pre- and post-intervention was statistically significant (32 <italic>vs.</italic> 24%), respectively (<italic>p</italic> = 0.0028).Co-designed digital resources can reduce health literacy inequities and improve psychological outcomes for cancer caregivers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]