Prevalence of Depression and Associated Factors among Adult Patients Admitted to Medical and Surgical Wards at Bossaso Town Hospitals, Puntland, Somalia

Abstract

Depression disorder presents with depressed mood, loss of interest or pleasure, decreased energy, feelings of guilt or low self-worth, disturbed sleep or appetite, poor concentration, problems with thinking and making decisions. Further, to the best of our knowledge, no study has been conducted to determine depression and associated factors among adult patients admitted to medical and surgical wards in the study area. Objective: To assess the prevalence of depression and associated factors among adult patients admitted to medical and surgical wards at Bossaso town hospitals, Puntland, Somalia. Method: A hospital-based cross-sectional study design was conducted among 416 patients admitted to medical and surgical wards from June 2022 to July 2022. Three hospitals were selected using simple random sampling. Sample frame: The study participants were selected by using a simple random sampling technique using hospital registration books. Depression was assessed Patient Health Questionnaire - 9 item. Data was coded and entered into EpiData version 3.1 software and exported to SPSS version 20 for analysis. Logistic regression model was used to identify independent predictors of depression, and a statistically significant result was determined at a p-value less than 0.05. Results: The prevalence of depression was found to be 20.9% (95% CI: 16., 24.0). In the multivariable logistic regression, female sex (AOR = 2.1, 95% CI: 1.14-4.0), duration of hospital stays 1-2 week (AOR = 2.7, 95% CI: 1.45-5.31), admission at surgical ward (AOR = 2.6, 95% CI: 1.48-4.56), previous history of mental illness (AOR=2.5,95% (1.41-4.75) and being cigarette smoking (AOR = 3.0,95% CI: 1.60-5.68) were factors significantly associated with depression. Conclusion: The prevalence of depression among admitted patients was high. Female sex, duration of hospital stays, admission to surgical ward, previous history of mental illness and being cigarette smoking were factors significantly associated with depression