Abstract
BackgroundAlthough depression and alcohol use disorder (AUD) are expected to be common among patients presenting to primary health care setting, there is limited research on prevalence of depression and AUD among people attending primary health care services in low-income countries. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of depression and AUD among adults attending primary care facilities in Nepal and explore factors associated with depression and AUD.MethodsWe conducted a population-based cross-sectional health facility survey with 1474 adults attending 10 primary healthcare facilities in Chitwan district, Nepal. The prevalence of depression and AUD was assessed with validated Nepali versions of the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT).Results16.8% of the study sample (females 19.6% and males 11.3%) met the threshold for depression and 7.3% (males 19.8% and females 1.1%) for AUD. The rates of depression was higher among females (RR = 1.48, P = 0.009), whereas rates of AUD was lower among females (RR = 0.49, P = 0.000). Rates of depression and AUD varied based on education, caste/ethnicity, occupations and family income.ConclusionsIn Nepal, one out of five women attending primary care services have depression and one out of five men have AUD. Primary care settings, therefore, are an important setting for detection and treatment initiation for these conditions. Given that “other” occupation is at increased risk for both conditions, it will be important to assure that treatments are feasible and effective for this high risk group.
Highlights
Depression and alcohol use disorder (AUD) are expected to be common among patients presenting to primary health care setting, there is limited research on prevalence of depression and AUD among people attending primary health care services in low-income countries
The prevalence of mental disorders can be even higher among people attending primary health care facilities [18, 19]; a large variation has Luitel et al BMC Health Services Research (2018) 18:215 been found in the reported rates of depression (4.5% to 47.8%) and AUD (8.2% to 28.7%) among primary care attendees [20,21,22,23,24,25,26]
Primary health care services in Nepal are provided at the district level through sub-health posts (SHPs), health posts (HPs) and primary health care centers (PHCCs)
Summary
Depression and alcohol use disorder (AUD) are expected to be common among patients presenting to primary health care setting, there is limited research on prevalence of depression and AUD among people attending primary health care services in low-income countries. The prevalence of mental disorders can be even higher among people attending primary health care facilities [18, 19]; a large variation has Luitel et al BMC Health Services Research (2018) 18:215 been found in the reported rates of depression (4.5% to 47.8%) and AUD (8.2% to 28.7%) among primary care attendees [20,21,22,23,24,25,26]. Despite the high burden of depression and AUD, it is reported that more than half (56%) of people with depression [27,28,29,30] and 78% persons with alcohol abuse and dependence [29] have not received care
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