Prevalence of depressive symptoms and associated factors among patients with tuberculosis attending public health institutions in Gede’o zone, South Ethiopia

Abstract

Background Depression is a common mental disorder among patients with tuberculosis and it is associated with a greater risk of suicide, multidrug-resistant tuberculosis, and poor quality of life. Evidence suggests the early identification of depression among patients with tuberculosis is important to decrease adverse outcomes. However, there are limited studies that examined the prevalence and determinants of depressive symptoms among patients with tuberculosis. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of depressive symptoms among patients with tuberculosis attending public health institutions in Gede’o zone, South Ethiopia. Methods An institution-based a cross-sectional study was conducted from November 1 to December 30, 2018, among a randomly selected sample of 415 patients with tuberculosis attending public health institutions in Gede’o zone, South Ethiopia. Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) was used to assess depressive symptoms. Logistic regression was used to identify the potential risk factors of depressive symptoms. The strength of the association was presented by crude odds and adjusted odds ratio with their corresponding 95% CI. Finally, the statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results The prevalence of depressive symptoms was found to be 45.5% (95% CI; 41.1–50.1%) among patients with tuberculosis; 33.3% had moderate, 9.8% had moderately severe, and 2.4% had severe depression. After adjusting for the possible confounders, being on re-treatment for tuberculosis (AOR = 2.47, 95% CI: 1.17–5.22), aged ≥45 years (AOR = 2.41, 95% CI: 1.09–5.32), having poor social support (AOR = 4.21, 95% CI: 2.10–8.47), and Tuberculosis/Human Immunodeficiency Virus (TB/HIV) co-infection) (AOR = 3.96, 95% CI 2.0, 7.84) were significantly associated with depressive symptoms among patients with TB. Conclusions This study suggests that a substantial percentage of patients with TB had depressive symptoms (45.5%). TB/HIV coinfection, being on re-treatment for tuberculosis, those having poor social support, patients aged 45 and above were factors associated with depressive symptoms. Routine screening of depression among patients with TB is warranted. Moreover, patients with TB falling into the risk categories should be more carefully monitored for depression and when possible referred to mental health professionals.

Depression Among Patients With Tuberculosis at a Directly Observed Treatment Short-Course (DOTS) Center in Rural Delhi

“…In our research, we discovered that 50% of patients with TB were depressed. The findings were similar to those of a cross-sectional study conducted by Dasa et al in Eastern Ethiopia and a study undertaken by Dahiya et al in Haryana, India [ 8 , 9 ]. It's also similar to other research done in Sub-Saharan Africa: Angola has 49.4% and the Southwest Region of Cameroon has a 61.1% prevalence of depression in patients with TB [ 10 , 11 ].…”

“…Being married does not offer any protection or benefits to patients with TB and depression. On the other hand, other research have revealed that depression in TB patients may be influenced by old age, substantial pathology, being single, and a lack of social support [ 9 , 19 ].…”

The Magnitude of Anxiety and Depressive Symptoms Among Tuberculosis Patients in Community Health Centers Setting During the Peak of COVID-19 Pandemic

“…These results are different from studies conducted by previous researchers who said that older patients had greater depressive symptoms than younger people. 38 , 39 This difference is since adolescence is a period that susceptible to tuberculosis. 40 Adolescence is a developmental age characterized by biological and social changes.…”

Lower fitness levels, higher fat-to-lean mass ratios, and lower cardiorespiratory endurance are more likely to affect the body mass index of Saudi children and adolescents

“…Indeed, higher levels of PF in childhood, particularly cardiorespiratory fitness, muscle strength, and motor skills, have been associated with a healthier cardiovascular profile later in life ( 56 ). Optimal PF levels may mitigate metabolic breakdown associated with excess fat ( 11 ) and have positive effects on mental and skeletal health ( 12 ). For these reasons, the assessment of PF in children provides relevant clinical and public health information that can be used to maintain and improve children's health ( 55 ).…”

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