Prevalence of depression and associated factors among patients with diabetes in an outpatient clinic In Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania

Abstract

epression and diabetes mellitus are chronic diseases with profoundly negative effects on people’s health and life expectancy. Depression is a state of low mood and aversion to activities previously most enjoyed, affecting a person's thoughts, behavior, feelings, and a sense of wellbeing. Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic disease in which blood sugar levels are too high. Depression is the second leading cause of disability in young to middle-aged adults in low and middle-income countries, following HIV/AIDS. Depression and DM co-occur in a bidirectional relationship, with a stronger association noted for the depression-predicting onset of diabetes. This co-occurrence is a major problem impacting the lives of DM patients. The purpose of this research was to uncover the links between depression and DM, aiming to propose strategies to manage depression in DM patients. Key objectives of the study were to:(i) identify key socio-demographic factors associated with the prevalence of depression among DM patients in an outpatients’ clinic in Tanzania; and (ii) propose a model health care practitioners and institutions can adopt for the prevention and management of depression among DM patients. Quantitative methods helped to uncover the impact of socio-demographic factors in the prevalence of depression in DM patients and establish the correlation between depression and diabetes as they co-occur. The research established a positive correlation between undetected and late identification of depression and the deterioration of the health condition and quality of life of DM patients; significantly higher health care bills occur when socio-demographic determinants of depression prevalence are not being well understood and managed; and a significant improvement in the quality of life when educated and counselled DM patients collaborate in managing their status. Finally, the research proposes a patient-physician Collaborative Care Model as an effective strategy for managing the pathology.