Abstract
BackgroundTuberculosis (TB) remains a global health challenge and depression is a significant contributor to the global burden of disease. Current evidence suggests that there is an association between depressive symptoms and TB, lower adherence to treatment, and increased morbidity and mortality. However, there is paucity of data regarding these associations in Cameroon. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and correlates of depression in adult patients with pulmonary TB (PTB) in the Southwest Region of Cameroon.MethodsA hospital-based cross-sectional study involving 265 patients with PTB was conducted from 2nd January to 31st March 2015 in the Limbe Regional Hospital and the Kumba District Hospital. Depression was diagnosed using the standard nine-item Patient Health Questionnaire, and classified as none, mild or moderate. Logistic regressions were used to investigate correlates of depression in these patients.ResultsOf the 265 patients (mean age 36.9 ± 10 years) studied, 136 (51.3 %) were female. The prevalence of depression was 61.1 % (95 % CI: 55.1–66.8), with a significant proportion (36.6 %) having mild depression. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that being female (aOR = 3.0, 95 % CI (1.7–5.5), P < 0.001), having a family history of mental illness (aOR = 2.5, 95 % CI: 1.3–5.4, P > 0.05), being on retreatment for TB (aOR = 11.2, 95 % CI: 5.2–31.1, P < 0.001), having discontinued treatment (aOR = 8.2, 95 % CI: 1.1–23.3, P < 0.05) and having a HIV/TB co-infection (aOR = 2.5, 95 % CI: 1.2–6.5, P < 0.001) were factors associated with having a higher chance of being depressed.ConclusionOur study suggests that there is a high prevalence of depression among PTB patients, with more than one in two patients affected. Multidisciplinary care for TB patients involving mental health practitioners is highly encouraged, especially for high-risk groups.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s40249-016-0145-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Highlights
Tuberculosis (TB) remains a global health challenge and depression is a significant contributor to the global burden of disease
That over a third of TB patients are likely to suffer from a depressive illness and the mental health of these patients should not be overlooked. Another reason why this study showed a high prevalence rate may be the fact that there was a strong association between depression and method of treatment, with 67 % of the hospitalised patients being depressed and the majority having severe infections
Overall, our findings indicate a high prevalence of depressive symptoms in pulmonary TB (PTB) patients in the Southwest Region of Cameroon, especially among females, those with a family history of a mental disorder, those on retreatment for TB, those who discontinued treatment and those who have a co-infection with HIV
Summary
Tuberculosis (TB) remains a global health challenge and depression is a significant contributor to the global burden of disease. Current evidence suggests that there is an association between depressive symptoms and TB, lower adherence to treatment, and increased morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and correlates of depression in adult patients with pulmonary TB (PTB) in the Southwest Region of Cameroon. Tuberculosis (TB) remains a leading infectious cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. According to a WHO report on global burden of disease (GBD) in 2008, depression ranks fourth and is predicted that, by 2030 it might be the leading burden of disease worldwide [5]. Depression can lead to suicide, which accounts for the loss of one million lives per year and 30,000 deaths/day globally [3, 6]
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