Depression among Ethiopian Adults: Cross-Sectional Study

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Mental Health Research

Background:

• Depression is a leading global cause of disability and suicide.
• It is a significant mental health challenge in lower and middle-income countries.
• Understanding local prevalence and associated factors is crucial for effective public health strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of depression in adults in Northwest Ethiopia.
• To identify factors associated with depression in this population.
• To inform public health interventions for depression management.

Main Methods:

• A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted with 779 adults in Northwest Ethiopia.
• Multistage cluster sampling was employed to select participants.
• Depression was assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), and logistic regression analyses were performed.

Main Results:

• The prevalence of depression was 17.5%, with varying severity levels.
• Significant associations were found with female gender, age (≥55 years), poor social support, comorbid medical illness, current tobacco smoking, and living alone.
• Low wealth index and being unmarried were also associated with depression.

Conclusions:

• Depression is a prevalent public health issue in Ethiopia, comparable to other lower and middle-income countries.
• Several demographic, social, and medical factors are significantly associated with depression.
• Interventions targeting modifiable factors such as smoking cessation and improving social support are recommended.