Depression in diabetic patients attending University of Gondar Hospital Diabetic Clinic, Northwest Ethiopia.
BACKGROUND
Diabetes mellitus, frequently associated with comorbid depression, contributes to the double burden of individual patients and community. Depression remains undiagnosed in as many as 50%-75% of diabetes cases. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and associated factors of depression among diabetic patients attending the University of Gondar Hospital Diabetic Clinic, Northwest Ethiopia.


METHODS
An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted from March to May 2014 among 422 sampled diabetic patients attending the University of Gondar Hospital Diabetic Clinic. The participants were selected using systematic random sampling. Data were collected by face-to-face interview using a standardized and pretested questionnaire linked with patient record review. Depression was assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. Data were entered to EPI INFO version 7 and analyzed by SPSS version 20 software. Binary logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with depression.


RESULTS
A total of 415 diabetic patients participated in the study with a response rate of 98.3%. The prevalence of depression among diabetic patients was found to be 15.4% (95% confidence interval (CI): 11.7-19.2). Only religion (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] =2.65 and 95% CI: 1.1-6.0) and duration of diabetes (AOR =0.27 and 95% CI: 0.07-0.92) were the factors associated with depression among diabetic patients.


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of depression was low as compared to other similar studies elsewhere. Disease (diabetes) duration of 10 years and above and being a Muslim religion follower (as compared to Christian) were the factors significantly associated with depression. Early screening of depression and treating depression as a routine component of diabetes care are recommended. Further research with a large sample size, wider geographical coverage, and segregation of type of diabetes mellitus is recommended.
School of Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia.
Anteneh Messele
AM
Birhanu
Department of Midwifery, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
Fekadu Mazengia
FM
Alemu
Department of Nursing, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
Tesfaye Demeke
TD
Ashenafie
Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
Shitaye Alemu
SA
Balcha
Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Institute of Public Health, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
Berihun Assefa
BA
Dachew
University of Gondar Hospital; depression; diabetes