Anxiety and Depression in Women with Abnormal Cervical Cytology Referred for Colposcopy: A Study at Suratthani Cancer Hospital
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Abstract
Objectives: To evaluate the prevalence of anxiety and depression in women with abnormal cervical cytology referred for colposcopy at Suratthani Cancer Hospital and identify associated risk factors.
Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional analytic study, all women with abnormal cervical cytology referred for colposcopy at Suratthani Cancer Hospital between January 2025 and March 2025. Participants completed the Thai version of the hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS). A score ≥ 11 on the anxiety (HADS-A) or depression (HADS-D) subscale was considered clinically significant and identified factors that associated to this group by multivariable logistic regression analysis.
Results: Total one hundred ninety-five women were participants. The mean age was 42.2 years (standard deviation 10.0). Clinically significant anxiety (HADS-A ≥ 11) was present in 15.4% of participants, and depression (HADS-D ≥ 11) in 5.6%. The only factors that significant associated with anxiety was depression (p < 0.01) and independent predictors of depression with multivariate regression analysis were smoking (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 7.6, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.20–98.72), poor cervical cancer knowledge (aOR 24.98, 95%CI 2.78–224.67), and concurrent anxiety (aOR 23.0, 95%CI 4.3–121).
Conclusion: Psychological distress was common among women referred for colposcopy, with significant predictors including smoking, poor disease knowledge, and co-existing anxiety. Integrating mental health screening and patient education into colposcopy care could improve psychological outcomes and care engagement.
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