Depression and Associated Factors Among the Patients with Type 2 Diabetes in Rwanda.

Main Article Content

Madeleine MUKESHIMANA
Geldine CHIRONDA

Abstract

Background: Various studies have found a greater prevalence ofdepression among patients having one or more chronic noncommunicable disease like diabetes mellitus than in the generalpopulation. This co-morbidity is linked with serious healthconsequences such as high mortality and morbidity, debility, lowquality of life and increased health costs. The aim was to determinethe prevalence of depression among patients with diabetesattending three selected district hospitals in Rwanda. Socio-demographic factors associated with depression were also explored.Methods: It was a descriptive cross sectional study. A sample of 385was selected randomly to participate in the study and 339 completethe questionnaires making a response rate of 88%. The PatientHealth Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) was used to screen depression.Descriptive and inferential analysis were done.Results: The majority of respondents 83.8% (n=284) haddepression. Among them 17.9% (n=61) had moderately severe tosevere depression while 81.9% (n=223) had minimal to moderatedepression. A statistically significant association was foundbetween age and depression (p=0.01) also between gender anddepression (p=0.02). Significance was determined at P<0.05.Conclusion: we found a high prevalence of depression amongpatients with diabetes. The regular screening of depression amongthese patients is recommended.

Article Details

Section
Original Article
Author Biographies

Madeleine MUKESHIMANA, University of Rwanda

Senior Lecturer, University of
Rwanda, College of Medicine and
Health Sciences

Geldine CHIRONDA, College of Medicine and HealthSciences

Senior Lecturer, Human Resource
for Health, University of Rwanda,
College of Medicine and Health
Sciences