Prevalence of Depression Among Tuberculosis Patients

Abstract

Objectives: To find out frequency of depression among Tuberculosis (TB) patients, to study the causes of depression in them and its effect on treatment and prognosis of T.B. Study Design:   Cross-Sectional Study. Study Area: Department of Chest Medicine District Head Quarters and Red Crescent T.B Hospital, Faisalabad. Duration of Study: March – May 2009. Study Population: TB patients admitted in Department of Chest Medicine DHQ & Red Crescent T.B Hospital, Faisalabad. Sample Size: Sample size was 60 TB patients. Sampling Technique: Convenience sampling technique. Data Collection Tool: Beck’s Depression Inventory–II(BDI-II in Urdu)  semi-structured  questionnaire was used for data collection for  all TB patients who were able to understand it. Diagnosis was made as per Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth edition (DSM-IV). Results:  Depression was present in about 80% of the hospitalized TB patient

It was more common in males about 86%, while in the females it was about 71%. According to age, young and elderly patients were found to be more affected. Majority of the TB patients had moderate depression, while some had severe and mild depression. Main causes of depression among the male TB patients 24.7% were due to altered social relationship and among female TB patients 23.33% were due to TB stigma.Conclusion: It is concluded from this study that 80% patients were suffering from depression. The frequency of depression was found to be 86% among males; while 71% of the female patients were found to be depressed. Main causes of depression among the male TB patients were altered social relationship and among female patients TB stigma. Depression had adverse effect on drug compliance and TB treatment.