Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2016 Mar;8(2):124-31.
doi: 10.1093/inthealth/ihv037. Epub 2015 Jun 25.

Depression and disability in people with podoconiosis: a comparative cross-sectional study in rural Northern Ethiopia

Affiliations

Depression and disability in people with podoconiosis: a comparative cross-sectional study in rural Northern Ethiopia

Joanna Bartlett et al. Int Health. 2016 Mar.

Abstract

Background: Little is known about depressive symptoms in podoconiosis despite the independent contribution of depression to worse health outcomes and disability in people with other chronic disorders.

Method: Two-hundred and seventy-one individuals with podoconiosis and 268 healthy neighbours (individuals from the nearest household in any direction) were investigated for depressive symptoms using a validated Amharic version of the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). The WHO Disability Assessment Schedule II (WHODAS II) tool was used to measure disability. Logistic regression and zero inflated negative binomial regression were used to identify factors associated with elevated depressive symptoms, and disability, respectively.

Results: Among study participants with podoconiosis, 12.6% (34/269) had high levels of depressive symptoms (scoring 5 or more points on the PHQ-9, on two assessments two weeks apart) compared to 0.7% (2/268) of healthy neighbours (p<0.001). Having podoconiosis and being older were significantly associated with increased odds of a high PHQ-9 score (adjusted odds ratios [AOR] 11.42; 95% CI: 2.44-53.44 and AOR 1.04; 95% CI: 1.00-1.08, respectively). Significant predictors of a higher disability score were having podoconiosis (WHODAS II multiplier value: 1.48; 95% CI: 1.39-1.58) and having a high PHQ-9 score (1.07; 95% CI: 1.06-1.08).

Conclusion: We recommend integrating evidence-based treatments for depression into podoconiosis interventions.

Keywords: Depression; Ethiopia; Mental health; Neglected tropical disease; Podoconiosis.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Map highlighting study area. Map shows Quarit in the Amhara region of Ethiopia.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Visual representation of data collection process. PHQ-9: Patient Health Questionnaire-9.

Similar articles

Cited by

References

    1. Litt E, Baker MC, Molyneux D. Neglected tropical diseases and mental health: a perspective on comorbidity. Trends Parasitol. 2012;28:195–201. - PubMed
    1. Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Ministry of Health . National Mental Health Strategy 2012/13-2015/2016. Ministry of Health; Addis Ababa: 2012.
    1. Moussavi S, Chatterji S, Verdes E, et al. Depression, chronic diseases, and decrements in health: results from the World Health Surveys. Lancet. 2007;370:851–8. - PubMed
    1. Awas M, Kebede D, Alem A. Major mental disorders in Butajira, southern Ethiopia. Acta Psychiatr Scand Suppl. 1999;397:56–64. - PubMed
    1. Hailemariam S, Tessema F, Asefa M, et al. The prevalence of depression and associated factors in Ethiopia: findings from the National Health Survey. Int J Ment Health Syst. 2012;6:23. - PMC - PubMed

Publication types