Factors Associated with Depression among Out-Patients attending a Neuro-Psychiatric Clinic in Maiduguri, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Depression, by the turn of the decade, is expected to be the leading cause of burden due to disease. An understanding of the burden of the disorder in a psychiatric hospital setting will help in allocating human and other resources required for effective management of the disorder.
Aims: to determine the proportion of patients in the out-patient unit of the FNPH Maiduguri who are being managed for depression and the socio-demographic factors associated with depression.
Methods: It is a retrospective study of all the patients attending the outpatient clinic of the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital Maiduguri from the 1st of January 2008 to 31st December 2012. Included were case notes of all patients diagnosed with depression, having adequate information. Adequate information is defined as complete bio-data, including diagnosis and treatment regiment.
Results: A total of 26, 374 patients attended the clinic, and of these, 1369 were diagnosed with depression. The average age at presentation was 34. 5 years. The male to female ratio is 1:2. Factors significantly associated with depression were, sex (n= 935, 68% vs 434, 32%; p<0.001), literacy (n= 811, 59.2; p<0.001) occupation (n=913, 66%; p<0.001).
Conclusion: depression is common presentation in the outpatient clinic. Social factors are significantly related with being depressed. Social treatment should also form part of the therapy.

Key words: Associated factors, depression, out-patient clinic, Maiduguri