ASSESSMENT OF PREVALENCE AND RISK FACTORS OF DEPRESSION AMONG ADULTS IN GILGEL GIBE FIELD RESEARCH CENTER, SOUTH WEST ETHIOPIA

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.