Prevalence of depression and its correlation with anxiety, headache and sleep disorders amongst medical staff in South China

Abstract

Background The aim of this cross-sectional survey was to investigate the prevalence of depression in medical staff and its risk factors, as well as the association between depression, anxiety, headache, and sleep disorders. Methods Stratified random cluster sampling was used to select medical staff from various departments in four hospitals in Sanya City. The Self-rating Depression Scale(SDS), Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) were used to quantitatively score the depression, anxiety and sleep disorders. Correlation analysis and regression analysis were performed on the factors affecting the occurrence and severity of depression. Results Among 645 medical staff, 548 (85%) responded. The 1-year prevalence of depression was 42.7% and the prevalence of depression combined with anxiety, headache and sleep disorders was 23%, 27% and 34.5%. The prevalence of depression in females, nurses, unmarried or single group, and rotating-shift population was significantly higher than that in males(48.3% vs 27.1%, OR = 2.512), doctors(55.2% vs 26.7%, OR = 3.388), married group(50.5% vs 35.8%, OR = 1.900), and day-shift population(35.2% vs 7.5%, OR = 1.719). The occurrence of depression was correlated with anxiety, sleep disorder, headache and migraine, with anxiety being the most significant (Spearman Rho = 0.531). The SDS was significantly correlated with SAS and PSQI (Spearman Rho = 0.801, 0.503), and also related to the presence of headache and migraine (Spearman Rho = 0.228, 0.159). Multivariate logistic regression indicated that nurse occupation and anxiety were risk factors for depression, while grades of anxiety, sleep disorders and nurse occupation were risk factors for depression degree in multiple linear regression. Conclusion The prevalence of depression in medical staff is higher than that in the general population especially among females, nurse occupation, unmarried people and rotating-shift population. Depression is associated with anxiety, sleep disorders, headache and migraine. Anxiety and nurse occupation are risk factors for depression. This study might provide a reference for the promotion of occupational health among medical staff.