Socio-Economic Factors and Patient’s Depression at Gisenyi District Hospital in Rubavu District, Western Province – Rwanda

Abstract

The primary objective of this research was to explore how socio-economic factors influenced the occurrence and severity of depression in patients receiving care at Gisenyi District Hospital. The specific objectives of this research were to evaluate the effect of income status on the occurrence of patients' depression, to assess the effect of educational status on the occurrence of patients' depression, and to examine the relationship between employment status and patients' depression at Gisenyi District Hospital, Rwanda. The study utilized descriptive-cross-sectional and correlational research methodologies, employing quantitative research techniques. Data was collected from 156 respondents in their homes via selfadministered questionnaire. The study revealed consistent experiences of depressive symptoms associated with income status, with mean values ranging from 4.8312 to 4.870 and moderate standard deviations ranging from 0.467 to 0.63457. Strong positive correlations (r=0.775 to r=0.807) further emphasized the pronounced relationship between income status and various dimensions of depression, highlighting the vulnerability of patients with lower income levels. Similarly, the analysis on educational status demonstrated psychological challenges linked to educational backgrounds, supported by high mean values (ranging from 4.844 to 4.870) and relatively narrow standard deviations (ranging from 0.481 to 0.573). The significant Pearson correlation coefficients (r=0.693 to r=0.894) emphasized the substantial association between poor educational status and different aspects of depression, underlining the impact of educational experiences on emotional well-being. Furthermore, the investigation on employment status uncovered significant challenges related to employment, supported by high mean scores (ranging from 4.824 to 4.863) and narrow standard deviations (ranging from 0.485 to 0.584). Strong positive correlations (r=0.743 to r=0.827) underscored the potential influence of employment conditions on the emotional well-being of the patients. The study underscores the impact of socio-economic factors on depression in Gisenyi District Hospital patients. Recommendations include implementing socioeconomic support programs, integrating comprehensive mental health services, facilitating patient engagement, providing specialized healthcare training, and promoting mental health awareness to mitigate stigma and improve mental well-being.