A Cross Sectional Study on Associated Factors of Depression among Type 2 Diabetic Outpatients in Black Lion General Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Depression is a common comorbidity among patients with type 2 diabetes. The emotional consequences of diabetes have been scrutinized by a number of investigative teams and there were varying reports about the association of depression and type 2 diabetes. However, there is limited data about this in Ethiopia. Objective: To assess the associated risk factors of co-morbid depression among type 2 diabetic out patients presenting to Black Lion General Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted on a random sample of 276 type 2 diabetic outpatients from Black Lion General Specialized Hospital. Systematic random sampling technique was used to get each individual respondents. Data regarding patient characteristics were collected using structured interviewer administered questionnaire and health related information were collected from patient chart. Association between depression and type 2 diabetes among patients were explored using multiple logistic regression model. Result: Totally 264 study participants were interviewed with a response rate of 95.6%. Of whom those interviewed participants 53.0% were female, 69.3% were married, 80.7% were Orthodox Christian, and 57.2% were Amhara. The mean + standard deviation age at diagnosis and current age of the subjects were 43.9 + 10.9 and 55.9 + 10.9 years respectively. The statistically significant risk factors was poor social support (odds ratio 14.7, 95% CI 1.94-111.89, p-value 0.01). Conclusion: This study demonstrated that depression is a common co-morbid health problem in type 2 diabetic out-patients. Poor social support was the risk factor significantly associated with depression among type 2 diabetes patients. In a setting where recognition, screening and treatment levels remain low, health care providers need to focus their efforts on diagnosing, referring and effectively treating co-morbid depression in order to deliver rights-based and client-centered services for people in real needs.