Depression symptoms among Afghan TB patients: A multi-center study

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Mental Health
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Depression significantly impacts Tuberculosis (TB) patient outcomes, including treatment success and quality of life.
• There is a lack of data on depression prevalence among TB patients in Afghanistan.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of depression symptoms in TB patients in Southern Afghanistan.
• To identify factors associated with depression in this population.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study was conducted with 1,003 TB patients (aged 18+) in Southern Afghanistan from February 2023 to May 2024.
• Data collected included sociodemographics, clinical details, social support, and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9).
• Binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify correlates of depression.

Main Results:

• Nearly 70% (69.6%) of TB patients exhibited symptoms of depression.
• Higher odds of depression were associated with no formal education, severe TB disease, medical comorbidities, and low social support.

Conclusions:

• High depression prevalence necessitates immediate attention within TB patient care in Afghanistan.
• The study recommends implementing routine mental health screening and counseling for TB patients.