title: Depression among women with obstetric fistula in Kenya.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To establish the prevalence of depression and describe associated factors among fistula patients attending an obstetric fistula surgical camp in Kenya.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study was conducted focusing on obstetric fistula patients attending a national fistula camp held in August 2008 at Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya. A structured questionnaire was used to obtain sociodemographic data and medical histories for all consenting patients before surgery. Depression measures were obtained using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 70 women interviewed, 2 (2.9%) and 12 (17.1%) reported a history of psychiatric illness and suicidal ideations, respectively. Depression was present in 51 (72.9%) patients, with 18 (25.7%) meeting criteria for severe depression. Depression was significantly associated with women older than 20 years of age (P=0.01), unemployment (P=0.03), lack of social support following fistula (P=0.04), and living with fistula for over 3 months (P=0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Women with obstetric fistula are predisposed to high levels of depression. A holistic management approach, including mental health care and family support, is recommended.
authors.affiliation: African Medical and Research Foundation, Nairobi, Kenya.
authors.forename: Khisa
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Weston
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mutiso
authors.forename: Judy W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Mwangi
authors.forename: Zahida
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Qureshi
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Beard
authors.forename: Pavithra
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Venkat
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006694:Holistic Health; D006801:Humans; D007630:Kenya / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D007744:Obstetric Labor Complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012006:Rectovaginal Fistula / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012944:Social Support; D059020:Suicidal Ideation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D014719:Vesicovaginal Fistula / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult