Prevalence, correlates and help-seeking behaviour for depressive symptoms in rural Uganda: a population-based survey

Abstract

Background.Depression is a common disorder characterized by delayed help-seeking, often remaining undetected and untreated.Objectives.We sought to estimate the proportion of adults in Kamuli District with depressive symptoms and to assess their help-seeking behaviour.Methods.This was a population-based cross-sectional study conducted in a rural district in Uganda. Sampling of study participants was done using the probability proportional to size method. Screening for depression was done using Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). The participants who screened positive also reported on whether and where they had sought treatment. Data collected using PHQ-9 was used both as a symptom-based description of depression and algorithm diagnosis of major depression. All data analysis was done using STATA version 13.Results.With a cut-off score of ⩾10, 6.4% screened positive for current depressive symptoms and 23.6% reported experiencing depressive symptoms in the past 12 months. The majority of individuals who screened positive for current depression (75.6%) were females. In a crude analysis, people with lower education, middle age and low socio-economic status were more likely to have depressive symptoms. Help-seeking was low, with only 18.9% of the individuals who screened positive for current depression having sought treatment from a health worker.Conclusion.Depressive symptoms are common in the study district with low levels of help-seeking practices. People with lower levels of education, low socio-economic status and those in middle age are more likely to be affected by these symptoms. Most persons with current depression had past history of depressive symptoms.

Correlates of self-reported history of mental health help-seeking: a cross-sectional study among individuals with symptoms of a mental or substance use disorder initiating care for HIV in Cameroon

“…Alternatively, individuals may fear seeking help if they have experienced physical or sexual IPV and are concerned about re-victimization [ 78 ], or may find it more appropriate to seek general medical care for physical problems as opposed to emotional distress resulting from physical or sexual violence. Our results suggesting greater trauma is associated with a greater likelihood of help-seeking are consistent with existing literature [ 75 , 79 ]. Overall, findings highlight the significance of co-occurring psychosocial stressors in understanding patterns of mental health help-seeking.…”

“…Current socio-demographic factors were not significantly associated with any type of ever help-seeking, with the exception of increased help-seeking from informal sources in individuals who identified as Born Again. We hypothesized socio-demographic factors would be associated with help-seeking due to their relationship with poor mental health and HIV care outcomes [ 7 ], and existing literature suggesting that age, sex, education, or income may influence help-seeking [ 35 , 72 – 75 ]. However, our results are consistent with studies from similarly low-resourced settings [ 67 , 70 ].…”

Not Enough Money and Too Many Thoughts: Exploring Perceptions of Mental Health in Two Ugandan Districts Through the Mental Health Literacy Framework

“…Surveys conducted among specific populations (e.g., persons living with HIV, university students) and geographic regions of Uganda have estimated the prevalence of specific MHDs, such as depression (Ovuga et al, 2006;Ssebunnya et al, 2019). Psychometric assessment work has also been completed on a number of depression screening and diagnostic tools (e.g., Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) (Radloff, 2016), for improved accuracy in specific Ugandan languages and populations (A. P. Miller et al, 2020;Natamba et al, 2014).…”

Suicidal Ideations and Attempts Among Adolescents in Kampala Urban Settlements in Uganda: A Case Study of Adolescents Receiving Care From the Uganda Youth Development Link

“…Adolescents with psychological disorders often do not seek or get the needed help, care, or counseling either because of failure to diagnose, financial constraints, or not being recognized as a health problem (Ssebunnya et al, 2019 ). Furthermore, efforts to prevent and reduce substance abuse among adolescents through social behavioral change communication and psychosocial support or education should be intensified.…”

“…The literature highlights a number of factors responsible for suicide ideation and attempt among adolescents. Suicide ideation or attempt among adolescents may be triggered by factors such as being homeless, poor, or suffering from a particular disease, psychological stress among others (Kessler et al, 2003 ; Rukundo et al, 2016 ; Ssebunnya et al, 2019 ; Nyundo et al, 2020 ). As Swahn et al ( 2012 ) observe, psychological stress may be caused by death of a loved one, history of disease, discrimination, and being lonely, among others (Asiki et al, 2011 ; Carr, 2012 ; Mugisha et al, 2016 ).…”