Depression in doctors of Zenica-Doboj Canton

To determine prevalence of depression symptoms in doctors in the Zenica-Doboj Canton and establish whether there is any difference in the prevalence between doctors employed at the Cantonal Hospital Zenica and doctors working in health care centers.

The completed research was of a projective-descriptive character. The research included 200 examinees, 100 doctors employed at the Cantonal Hospital in Zenica and health care centers. The research was conducted in the period between May and July 2008. A questionnaire designed for this purpose, Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI), Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D), Occupational Stress Questionnaire (OSQ), Work Ability Index (WAI) were used in the study.

The research confirmed that 68 (34%) examined doctors had mild depressive disorders. The number of examinees with mild depressive disorders in the Cantonal Hospital was slightly higher compared to those employed in health care centers. The number of females with such disorders was twice as higher than males. It has been found that 42 (21%) examinees had sick leave caused by this disease. Such examinees did not have adequate help and support by their superiors and they are not satisfied with the state of interpersonal relations.

The research data clearly indicate that there is a significant percentage of doctors with depressive disorders in the area of Zenica-Doboj Canton, and their work ability is diminished due to depressive disorders. The achieved results correspond to similar researches conducted in our country and worldwide.