Depressed patients seen at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH): a six-year review

Abstract

The contribution of depression to disease burden is enormous and is even expected to increase. Patients, caregivers and indeed society suffer on account of depression. Data was obtained from the case files of 152 depressed patients out of the total of 522 patients attended to in the mental health clinic of a teaching hospital, over a six-year period. Thus the period prevalence of depression was 29.12%. There were more females (females 55.3% and males 44.7%). Majority of the patients were in the age group 23-33 years, 53.3% were unemployed, 46.1% had experienced a stressful life event prior to being diagnosed with depression and 17.8% had a first-degree relation who has suffered depression. All the patients had depressed mood while more than 80% had anhedonia, anorexia and insomnia. Almost 60% had severe depression. Of all the patients’ characteristics considered, only impaired occupational functioning was significantly associated with severe depression while impaired occupational functioning, feeling of worthlessness, suicidal ideation and severe depression were significantly associated with attempted suicide. Depressive symptomatology in the region appears to have been stable over the years. Clinicians need to pay attention to occupational functioning, as it may be a pointer to the severity of depression. Impaired occupational functioning, feelings of worthlessness and suicidal ideation should be inquired after during evaluation of depressed patients as uncovering them may forestall attempted or actual suicide. Keywords: Depressed; Patients; Clinic; Prevalence