ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Depression is the leading cause of disability at a population level and globally 350 million people are suffering from depression. Despite a high prevalence and serious consequences, people with depression are reluctant to seek help and a large proportion remains untreated. The aim of this study was to assess intention to seek help for depression and associated factors among residents of Aykel town, Northwest Ethiopia. METHODS: This cross-sectional population based study included 832 participants. We used a major depressive disorder case vignette and general help-seeking questionnaire (GHSQ) to assess intention. Study participants selected by multistage cluster sampling technique. Face-to-face interview used to collect data. We performed adjusted multiple linear regression analyses to identify factors for intention to seek help. RESULTS: The mean score on intention to seek help from any health professionals was 3.72 (SD = 1.23) with a range of (1 "very unlikely" to 5 "very likely"). Majority of the respondents had an intention to visit health professionals to get a remedy for their illness depicted in the vignette. The proportion of those who had an intention to seek help from any health professionals if they were having depression was 71.2%. Favorable attitude towards seeking professional help for depression positively associated with an intention to seek help with (unstandardized ß = 0.03, 95% CI (0.01, 0.05), p-value < 0.001). Other factors positively associated with an intention to seek help for depression were age (ß = 0.02, CI (0.01, 0.03) p < 0.001), and perceived need of treatment for depression (ß = 0.19, CI (0.01, 0.38), p < 0.05). Poor social support was negatively associated with an intention to seek help for depression (ß = - 0.39 CI - 0.68, - 0.10, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that over two-third of the respondents reported that they were likely or very likely to seek help from health professionals if they were having depression. Increased age, favorable attitude to depression, and perceived need for treatment were factors for intention to seek help. Interventions focusing on awareness creation and attitude change towards depression are necessary.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Undiagnosed diabetes mellitus cases are at higher risk for diabetic related complications. In low-income African countries, patients with undiagnosed diabetes mellitus account for 75% of diabetes cases. Psychiatric disorders have a greater impact on the global burden of diseases and disability associated with chronic diseases like diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases. METHODS: Institution based cross-sectional study was conducted at the University of Gondar Hospital from February to April 2016. A total of 205 psychiatric patients aged above 15 years that were taking antipsychotic were included by the simple random sampling method. Fasting blood glucose, triglycerides and cholesterol level were determined from venous blood samples to evaluate diabetes mellitus based on WHO criteria. RESULTS: Among 205 psychiatric patients taking antipsychotics, 15(7.3%) had undiagnosed diabetes mellitus. Duration of antipsychotic treatment and sex had a statistically significant association with the prevalence of undiagnosed diabetes mellitus. As the duration of antipsychotic drug treatment increased by one year, the risk of having a diabetes mellitus increase by 1.47 times (AOR: 1.47 CI: 1.021-2.125). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of undiagnosed diabetes mellitus among psychiatry patients taking antipsychotics was higher than the estimated diabetes national prevalence of Ethiopia. Screening of diabetes mellitus in particular, patients having a longer duration of antipsychotic treatment is mandatory to bring more undiagnosed cases for medical attention.
