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Review
. 2018 Dec 18:2018:1592596.
doi: 10.1155/2018/1592596. eCollection 2018.

Depression and Its Help Seeking Behaviors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Community Survey in Ethiopia

Berhanu Boru Bifftu  1 , Wubet Worku Takele  1 , Yonas Deressa Guracho  2 , Fekadu Ambaw Yehualashet  1
Affiliations
Review

Depression and Its Help Seeking Behaviors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Community Survey in Ethiopia

Berhanu Boru Bifftu et al. Depress Res Treat. .

Abstract

Background: Depression is one of the most common mental illnesses affecting around 322 million individual in the world. Although the prevalence of depression is high and its treatment is effective, little is known about its pooled prevalence and help seeking behaviors in the community settings of Ethiopia. Thus, this study aimed to determine the pooled prevalence of depression and its help seeking behaviors in Ethiopia.

Methods: A systematic literature search in the databases of Pub-Med, Cochrane, and Google Scholar was performed. The quality of studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa quality assessment tool adapted for cross-sectional studies. Heterogeneity test and evidence of publication bias were assessed. Moreover, sensitivity test was also performed. Pooled prevalence of depression and its help seeking behavior were calculated using random effects model.

Results: A total 13 studies for depression, 4 studies for help seeking intention, and 5 studies for help seeking behaviour were included in this review. The pooled prevalence of depression and help seeking intention and behaviour was found to be 20.5% (95% CI; 16.5% -24.4%), 42% (95% CI; 23%-60%), and 38% (95% CI; 23%-52%), respectively. There is no significant heterogeneity for depression (I2 = 0%, p =0.620), help seeking intention (I2 = 0%, p =0.996), and behaviour (I2 = 0%, p =0.896). There is no publication bias for depression egger's test (p =0.689).

Conclusion: More than one in every five individuals were experiencing depression. Less than one-third of individuals with depression seek help from modern treatment. Authors suggest community based mental health screening and treatment.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Flow diagram of the included studies.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Forest plot presenting the pooled prevalence of depression using random effect models with 95% CI.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Forest plot presenting the help seeking intention and behaviour using random effect models with 95% CI.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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