A Retrospective Study of the Prevalence of Depression among Women Attending a Mental Health Clinic in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria

Abstract

Depressive disorder is a common cause of distress and impairment in physical, social, occupational and other important aspect of life especially among women in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria has been poorly explored. This study was designed to determine the prevalence of depression among women attending the Mental Health Clinic at the Federal Medical Center, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. A retrospective study design was used to collect data from case files from January 2009-December 2012 of women diagnosed with depression. Result shows that prevalence of depression among women ranged from 21(24.1%) in 2009, 17(19.5%) in 2010, 16(18.4%) in 2011 and 33(37.9%) in 2012, with a mean prevalence of approximately (22%) cases of depression/year. Also, more than half (57.5%) of the women had severe form of depression, (17.2%) had moderate form of depression while (25.3%) had mild form of depression. Result from this study also revealed the highest prevalence of depression (39.1%) to be within ages 20-30. At 95% confidence interval, chi-square value of 10.230, difference (df) 8, P=0.249, there was no statistical relationship between age and form/severity of depression among women. The need for sensitization campaign by health professionals to enlighten the public is suggested.