NEWPORT INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND PHARMACY (NIJPP)

Volume 3 Issue 3 2023

Factors associated with depression among healthcare Workers at Jinja regional referral Hospital Uganda

Nasasira Bruno

Department of Medicine and Surgery of Kampala International University Uganda

ABSTRACT

Depression is a common mental disorder that presents with low mood, loss of interest or pleasure, decreased energy, feelings of guilt or low self-worth, disturbed sleep or appetite, and poor concentration. Studies show that health care workers have been known to have as much as a 27% prevalence rate for mental health disorders (depression and anxiety) and that among all population groups, health workers have the highest prevalence of depression. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of depression and its effect on performance health workers of JRRH. Cross sectional study using quantitative data collection method, and simple random sampling was used to get 140 health worker participants. Questionnaire consisting of BDI II was used for measuring depression plus a self-evaluating tool for measuring performance. Data was analyzed using EpiData software. The results of this study reveals that the prevalence of depression amongst health workers is 12.4%% (14.3% amongst male, and 10.4% amongst female) with 10% of staff having moderate depression and 2.14% extreme depression. Age (P= 0.032), sex (P= 0.026), job category (P=0.000), marital status (P=0.000) significantly affected the healthcare worker’s BDI II score. 100% of participants with extreme depression is amongst pharmacists, support stuff, married health workers. In conclusions, depression is prevalent among healthcare workers at JRRH. Being male, marital status (married), age (older age group) and job category (pharmacy staff, support staff, orthopedic staff and interns) were significantly associated with depression. Performance at work place was also significantly affected by depression. Among other factors affecting performance, low/poor salary and heavy workload were the most commonly cited. Therefore, further studies to compare the prevalence of depression among healthcare workers in government and private facilities will be useful.

Keywords: Depression, Mental disorder, Health workers.

INTRODUCTION

Depression is a common mental disorder that presents with low mood, loss of interest or pleasure, decreased energy, feelings of guilt or low self-worth, disturbed sleep or appetite, and poor concentration [1-3]. Depression plays a significant role to the global burden of disease and affects people in all communities across the world. Today, depression is estimated to affect 350 million people. The World Mental Health Survey conducted in 17 countries showed that on average about 1 in 20 people reported having an episode of depression in the previous year. Depressive disorders often start at a young age; they reduce people’s functioning and often are recurring. It has been described as one of the most debilitating illnesses in the world, projected to be the second most common disease by 2025, though its worldwide prevalence and impact may have been underestimated. While depression is the leading cause of disability for both males and females, the burden of depression is 50% higher for females than males. In fact, depression is the leading cause of disease burden for women in both high-income, low- and middle-income countries [4, 5]. Some features of depression are denial and a sense of helplessness, thus no health worker would want to be termed depressed. Other symptoms of this disease include fatigue, irritability, inability to make decisions, somatic problems, lack of interest in day-to-day activities, and suicidal thought. Almost 1 million lives are lost yearly due to suicide, which translates to 3000 suicide deaths every day [6]. Depression influences people’s quality of life & work place productivity and can eventually result in direct economic costs. Since depression presents with such as lack of attention, memory loss, and difficulties with planning and taking decisions; health workers are automatically set to underperform this is quite tasking to the health care system. Depression depletes the health worker from his or her ability and enthusiasm to fulfil role obligations and to enjoy life, and it also affects other family members [7].

The health sector in Uganda has experienced crises and conflicts especially related to welfare of staff, conditions of service, poor infrastructure, understaffing (the ratio of health workers to patients is still very high thus; doctor is 1:24000, nurse is 1: 1700, midwives 1:9000, dentists 1:77000, lab technician 1: 16000 [8], tight schedules, malfunctioning equipment, and dependent and demanding patients. Despite having knowledge about stressors and health hazards, most healthcare professionals are often less considerate about the factors that contribute to their own general and mental health. Also, despite various advocates from different organizations (WHO, MINISTRY OF HEALTH OF UGANDA) to improve the Elements of the working environment of health workers of Uganda, understaffing, tight schedules, in adequate & malfunctioning equipment have remained a challenge and serious contributors to depression of health workers. It is important to understand causal factors for depression in the working environment of health workers & also find out how depression affects their performance at work. Therefore, the purpose of the present study is to determine the prevalence, associated factors of depression in healthcare workers and how it affects their performance at work. Studies show that health care workers have been known to have as much as a 27% prevalence rate for mental health disorders (depression and anxiety) and that among all population groups, health workers have the highest prevalence of depression [9]. Depression leads to underperformance at work because its symptoms lower performance (Centre for Mental Health, Mental Health at Work: Developing the business case, 2007). The Low performance of health workers can result in loss of many lives due increased mistakes in the chain of treatment. European studies have shown that early retirement accounted for 47% of the cost of depression, and sick leave a further 32%, compared with just 3% for the cost of drugs to treat the illness. This explains the social economic burden caused by depression. The government of Uganda has over the years endeavored to improve the working conditions of health workers and also improve the ratio of health workers to population by training more doctors, nurses, though the doctor to patient ratio is still high mainly because many doctors go to outside countries to look for better paying jobs compared to those of Uganda. This study is going to establish the prevalence, associated factors of depression and how it affects their performance at work. The purpose of this research was to establish the prevalence of depression among health workers, and its effects on their performance. Compare the levels of depression between health workers of different levels. The findings of this research will help the different stake holders (ministry of health, district health office, hospital management) to evaluate and monitor health workers in promoting health care delivery through their good performance.

REFERENCES

  1. Marina, , Taghi , Y., Mark, V. O., Dan, C., & Shekhar, S. (2012, JUNE 16). DEPRESSION.Retrieved from WHO.
  1. Lazzari, C., Shoka, A., Papanna, B., & Rabottini, M. (2018). The hypothesis of a tripolar syndrome in liaison psychiatry and medicine: Depression comorbid with factitious disorders and borderline personality disorder. Indian J Med Res Pharm Sci, 5(4), 61-68.
  2. Archibong, V., Usman, I. M., Kasozi, K. I., Aigbogun Jr, E. O., Josiah, I., Monima, A. L., … & Welburn, S. C. (2021). Anxiety, anger and depression amongst low-income earners in southwestern Uganda during the COVID-19 total lockdown. Frontiers in public health, 9, 590458.
  3. Lai, J., Ainamani, H., De La Miyar, J. B., Archibong, V., Usman, I. M., Kasozi, K. I., … & Welburn, S. C. (2022). Anxiety, Anger and Depression Amongst Low-Income Earners in Southwestern Uganda During the COVID-19 Total Lockdown. System level Interventions, Prevention Strategies, Mitigation Policies and Social Responses During COVID-19 That Improve Mental Health Outcomes: Evidence From Lower-and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs).
  4. Adam Afodun Moyosore, Quadri Khadijah Kofoworola, Lawal Sodiq Kolawole, Muhammed Olanrewaju (2017). Cranial Fronto–Temporal Depression in a Fetus (A Case Report). Society for Health Care & Research Development”. Website: www. aijournals. com/journals/aanat/
  5. Benjamin, R. S., Costello, E. J., & Warren, M. (1990). Anxiety disorders in a pediatric sample. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 4, 293–316.
  6. Yu-Qin, , Bo-Chen, P., Wei , S., Hui, W., Jia-Na, W., & Lie, W. (2011). Depressive symptoms among Chinese nurses: prevalence and the. Journal Of Advanced Nursing, 1.
  7. Kamwesiga, (2011/2012, JUNE 10). Annual Health Sector Performance Reports. Retrieved from www.health.go.ug.
  8. Obi, E., Aniebue, P. N., Okonkwo, K., Okeke, T. A., & Ugwunna, N. (2015). prevalence of depression among health workers in Enugu, south east nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Clinical Practice • May-Jun 2015 • Vol 18 • Issue 3, 2.
  9. Kish, L.: Survey Sampling. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, London 1965, IX + 643 S., 31 Abb., 56 Tab., Preis 83 s.
  10. Ovuga, , Boardman, J., & Wasserman, D. (2015). THE PREVALENCE OF DEPRESSION INTWO DISTRICTS OF UGANDA. Journal of social psychaitry and psychiatric epidemiology, 1.
  11. Lujain , A., Sadik , S., & Samir, M. H. (2014). PREVALENCE OF DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS AMONG PRIMARY HEALTH. International Journal of Health and Psychology Research, 3.
  12. Knuth, B. S., da Silva, R. A., Oses, J. P., Radtke, V. A., Cocco, R. A., & Jansen, K. (2015). Mental disorders among health workers in Brazil. Ciencia & saude coletiva, 20(8), 2481–2488. https://doi.org/10.1590/1413-81232015208.05062014
  13. Jyoti, , Guilherme, L., Guimaraes, B., Juan, C., Díaz, M., Yvonne, F., & Jorge, S. (2016).DEPRESSION AMONG HEALTH WORKERS: THE ROLE OF SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS, WORK STRESS, AND CHRONIC DISEASES. Salud Mental, Vol. 29, No. 5, 1.
  14. Lujain, Anwar Alkhazrajy., Sadik Sabah., Samir. and Mohammad Hassan Abed (2014). Prevalence of Depressive Symptoms Among Primary Healthcare Providers In Baghdad. International Journal of Health and Psychology Research.2 (2) 1- 20.
  15. DeRoma, V. M., Leach, J. B., & Leverett, J. P. (2009) The relationship between depression and college academic performance. College Student Journal, 43, 325-334.
  16. , Usman, I. M., Kasozi, K. I., Aigbogun Jr, E. O., Josiah, I., Monima, A. L., and Welburn, S. C. (2021). Anxiety, anger and depression amongst low-income earners in southwestern Uganda during the COVID-19 total lockdown. Frontiers in public health, 9, 590458.
  17. Gutaka Gutaka, Emannuel, Martin Odoki, Francis Okedi, Emmanuel Ifeanyi Obeagu. (2023). Factors Hindering Adolescents from Utilizing Reproductive Health Services in Kampala International University Teaching Hospital. IDOSR Journal of Scientific Research. 8(2). 62-73.
  18. Immaculate Kyomuhangi. (2023). Evaluation of the Challenges Faced by Health Workers Managing Patients with Severe Malaria in Kanyabwanga Health Centre III Mitooma District Uganda. INOSR Applied Sciences. 10(1), 14-29.

CITE AS: Nasasira Bruno (2023). Factors associated with depression among healthcare Workers at Jinja regional referral Hospital Uganda. NEWPORT INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND PHARMACY (NIJPP) 3 (3):1-11.

 

DOWNLOAD FULL TEXT PDF