Prevalence of depression among health workers in Enugu, South East Nigeria

Abstract

Aims: Determination of the prevalence and distribution of depression among health workers at tertiary level of health care delivery in Enugu South East Nigeria. Settings and Design: A cross‑sectional descriptive survey of depression in health workers at tertiary level.
Subjects and Methods: By proportional quota sampling, the sample size of 309 was used. Ethical issues were given full consideration. A structured self‑administered questionnaire including the Zung self‑rating depression scale was used to collect data.
Statistical Analysis Used: Data entry and analysis were done using SPSS statistical package version 15. Statistical significance was considered present when P < 0.05.
Results: The total of 46 of the 309 workers (14.9%) were found to be depressed. Of the health workers found to be depressed, there were more females (18.0%) than males (8.7%). A feeling of sadness over family, living and working conditions was more consistent among the depressed.
Conclusions: The condition of depression is present among health workers in this part of the world. Being a female health worker, may be associated with depression in South East Nigeria. Studies to investigate the determinants and effects of depression in the Nigerian health work force are necessary.

Key words: Depression, health workers, prevalence

Erratum published for this article here: https://www.ajol.info/index.php/njcp/article/view/158260

In the article, “Prevalence of depression among health workers in Enugu, South East Nigeria”, which appeared in the pages 342-347, issue 3, vol. 18 of Nigerian Journal of Clinical Practice,[1] the name of the third author and his affiliation is missing. The third author name is “Anne Chigedu Ndu” and the affiliation is “Department of Community Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria Enugu Campus, Enugu, Nigeria”.

The “How to cite this article” section information is written incorrectly and should read as “Obi IE, Aniebue PN, Ndu AC, Okonkwo KOB, Okeke TA, Ugwunna NCW. Prevalence of depression among health workers in Enugu, South East Nigeria. Niger J Clin Pract 2015;18:342-7”