Health-seeking behavior and anxiety of cancer patients in Bangladesh during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has posed unique challenges for cancer patients, who not only require ongoing medical care but also face an elevated risk of infection. Investigating the health-seeking behavior and barriers among adult cancer patients during this global crisis is crucial for ensuring their access to essential care amidst the pandemic’s complexities. Objective: This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the health-seeking behavior, perceived barriers, and anxiety among adult cancer patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: The study, conducted from August 2020 to December 2020, involved 210 participants purposively selected from the National Institute of Cancer Research and Hospital and Ahsania Mission Cancer and General Hospital in Dhaka. Data was collected through face-to-face interviews using a pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire and analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 26.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). Results: Among the 210 participants, 56.2% were male, 28.6% aged 46–55, and 36.7% had no formal education. Approximately 52.3% preferred public healthcare facilities, while 6.2% sought homeopathy or pharmacy advice for symptoms. Significant differences emerged in post-pandemic healthcare provider contact (P-0.0). Notably, 88.1% missed appointments, with 78.3% taking no action. Barriers included transport issues (77.1%), reduced income (59%), and a lack of financial (53.4%) and mental support (56.6%). Conversely, respondents downplayed public awareness (80%), infection risk from others (84.7%), healthcare provider infection risk (82.4%), and hospital overcrowding (64.8%). Fear of hospitals correlated with public awareness (P-0.0). On the GAD-7 (Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item) scale, most had minimal anxiety (53.8%), with a weak provider contact-anxiety correlation (P-0.03). Healthcare providers excelled in precautions (99.5%) and health status communication (85.3%). Conclusion: Despite the barriers and risks posed by the pandemic, cancer patients prioritized their care. Given the need for continued cancer care and the elevated risk of COVID-19 among cancer patients, adapting measures to align with the population’s real needs could prove highly beneficial.