Prevalence of depression among substance users presented to psychiatry department of a tertiary care hospital

Background: Substance user may face depression symptoms in many cases

Objectives: To determine the prevalence and severity of depression among substance users

Methodology: Study Design: Cross Sectional study. Place and duration of study: The study was conducted in the Inpatient Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences [Mowadat Hussain Rana], Sheikh Zayed Medical College/Hospital, Rahim Yar Khan from 1[st] January to 31[st] August 2015. One hundred patients having the history of substance use participated in this study and the sample was collected through purposive convenient sampling. Patients were interviewed according to the diagnostic and research criteria of International statistical Classification of Diseases and related health problems [ICD 10] for the identification of depression and its severity [mild, moderate and severe]. SPSS 20 was used to analyze the data

Results: Out of 100 patients having history of substance use, 28% patients had depression. Among 28 depressed patients; 08 [8%], 12 [12%] and 08 [8%] have mild, moderate and severe depression respectively. The majority of the patients [60.71%] have duration of one or less than one year. Among substance users; 91,% 20% and 28% patients used opioids, depressants and stimulants respectively. All patients were males. 62% received detoxification treatment atleast once in their life time. 59% lied between 31-45 years of age whereas; 29%, 17% and 1% were 15-30 years, 46-60 years and above 60 years of age respectively. The routes of administration found were smoking 91%, sniffing 28%, foil paper 48%, oral 54%, intravenous 29% and others 3%

Conclusion: There was high prevalence of depression among substance user. Majority of the depressed patients met the criteria of moderate depression present for atleast one year in a continuous manner. Among substance users; all participants were male, middle aged adults and received detoxification atleast once in their lifetime. The most frequent routes of administration were smoking, sniffing, foil paper, intravenous and oral

Frequency of family burden among caregivers of patients with schizophrenia

Background: The life time prevalence of Schizophrenia is significant. Studies have shown that schizophrenia causes family burden among caregivers leading to unhealthy family functioning

Objective: To determine the family burden among care givers of patients having Schizopheria

Methodology: The sample size in this study was calculated and the cross sectional study was carried out at Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Sheikh Zayed Medical College/Hospital, Rahim Yar Khan from 1[st] June 2014 to 31[st] March 2015.Sampling technique was non probability purposive sampling. Care givers of the included 130 patients having schizopheria was calculated using 14% expected family burden at 6% margin of error and 95% confidence level using WHO formula. Both genders, age ranged between 18-60 years and care givers of patients having at least 2 years history of schizophrenia was included. The data was collected using a structured proforma. The participants were assessed with a comprehensive battery of using Zarit burden interview scale which explores negative physical, mental, social and economic impacts of care giving on the life of caregivers

Results: Mean age of all 130 care givers was 34.03 +/- 11.59 years. There were 65 male and 65 female care givers. As per ZARIT score, 01[0.8%] care giver had mild to moderate burden, 42 [32.3%] had moderate to severe burden and 87 [6.9%] care givers had severe burden. It was observed that in younger age groups the burden was high as that of elderly age group but this difference was not statistically significant

Conclusion: Relatives of patients with schizophrenia face enormous burdens, with financial, stigma and negative patient behavior being more prominent