Prevalence of depression and associated factors among diabetic patients in outpatient diabetes clinic

Background and justification: Despite adequate treatment for Diabetes, it is estimated that 15% - 20% of people with diabetes are struggling with a moderate to severe form of depression daily. Depression and diabetes together are dangerous combination. Having diabetes increases the chances of having significant problems with depression, and depression can make it difficult to manage diabetes effectively. Scientific research has shown that depressed people are more likely to skip medications, get little exercise, have an unhealthy diet, and have difficulties managing their weight. People with diabetes, both type 1 and type 2, are almost twice as likely to develop depression as those who do not have diabetes. Less is known about depression among diabetes in East Africa especially, Tanzania. Hence this study hoped to extend our understanding of the relationship of depression and diabetes at the MNH diabetic outpatients’ clinic. Objectives: The study aimed at determining the prevalence of depression and associated factors among diabetic patients at the MNH outpatient clinic, Dar es Salaam. Methodology: A descriptive cross sectional clinical study was carried out at Muhimbili National Hospital diabetes clinic, Dar es salaam, Tanzania between July and December 2015. A total of 353 patients with diabetes (DM) both type 1 and type 2, were recruited into the study. The9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ 9) scale was used to assess presence of depressive symptoms among diabetes patients at the clinic. In addition, patient’s socio-demographic characteristics (age, gender, marital status, level of education, occupation, smoking status, alcohol use, medication, duration of disease and drug used, BMI, BP) were obtained. Data collected was entered and analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 20. Chi-square test was used to measure the strength of associations between variables using a significant level of p-value of