Assessment of prevalence of depression and its associated factors among tuberculosis patients in Ernakulam district, Kerala

Abstract

Background: India is one of the few countries where Tuberculosis is still widely prevalent. People with TB, often suffers from depression. It is estimated that more than 300 million people suffer from depression at the global level, accounting to 4.4 percent of the world's population.

Objectives: Primary objective-To assess the prevalence of depression among tuberculosis patients in Ernakulam district using PHQ9. Secondary objective-To assess the factors associated with depression among tuberculosis patients in Ernakulam district.

Methodology: A cross sectional study was carried out among the tuberculosis patients who were currently under treatment from December 2019 to March 2020 in Ernakulam district of Kerala. From the 8 TUs of Ernakulam, 8 clusters were selected using PPS. 485 adult TB patients from these clusters were interviewed using PHQ9 questionnaire to assess prevalence of depression.

Results: The prevalence of depression among the TB patients in Ernakulam district was found to be 16.1%. The proportion of TB patients with depression were significantly higher among the age group of 18-40 years (36.3%), unmarried (54%) and from urban area of residence (19%). It was also significantly higher among previously treated patients (45.7%) & MDR TB patients (43.8%).

Conclusion: It was observed that one-sixth of TB patients suffered from depression. Hence it is crucial that TB patients need to be regularly assessed for depression and managed appropriately. Since depression has affects adherence to TB treatment & thereby result in delay of TB elimination in the state.

Keywords: Cross sectional study; Depression; Tuberculosis.