Abstract:
Background: Depression is a significant contributor to the global burden of disease and affects
people in all communities across the world. Previously conducted studies in Ethiopia have
consistently shown that depression is common problem in the country. There is a very limited
scientific data regarding the association of alcohol drinking, khat chewing and chronic noncommunicable diseases with depression in Ethiopia and of course in the study area.
Objective: To assess prevalence and risk factors of depression among population aged 15-64
years in Gilgel Gibe Field Research Center of Jimma University.
Method: A population-based cross-sectional study on chronic non communicable diseases was
conducted by staff of Jimma University in Gilgel Gibe Field Research center from late
September 2008 to end of January 2009. Data were collected from a random sample of 4,371
individuals aged 15-64 years on major risk factors for public health important chronic non
communicable diseases including depression. Data were processed & analyzed using SPSS for
windows version 16.0. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the study sample. Bivariate
and multivariate logistic regressions were carried out and association between independent
variables and depression was measured using adjusted odds ratios (AOR) and 95% confidence
interval (CI) and P- value below 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Result: Finding of the study showed that prevalence of reported and measured depression was
1.7% and 7.4% respectively. Retired and unemployed respondents were 6.94 times more likely
to have depressions compared to farmers (AOR=6.94, 95% CI: 2.10, 22.92) and females were
1.62 times more likely to have depression compared to males (AOR=1.62, 95% CI: 1.07, 2.44).
Similarly, 12 months alcohol users were 3.23 times more likely to have depression compared to
non-users (AOR=3.23, 95% CI: 1.17, 8.88). Respondents having two and above chronic noncommunicable diseases were 2.18 times more likely to have depression compared to those free
of the diseases (AOR=2.18, 95% CI: 1.15, 4.13)
Conclusion: From socio-demographic factors, sex and occupation of respondents were found to
be independent predictors of depression. In addition alcohol use and number of chronic noncommunicable diseases were showed significant association with depression. Other variables
like age, residence, educational status and khat chewing didn’t show statistically significant
association with depression.
