PREVALENCE OF DEPRESSION AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG URBAN CIVIL SERVANTS, IN HARAR, EASTERN ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Back ground: Most of the times, the pressure and the stress at work coupled with other life’s problems can make depression more likely to occur. Depressions pose a major public health problem from affecting quality of life up to suicide. Unfortunately in Ethiopia, there is little epidemiological research work on the prevalence of depression at work place and factors among civil servants. Objective: The aim of this study is to assess the prevalence of depression and associated factors among urban civil servant in Harari regional state, Ethiopia. Methodology: Institution based cross-sectional study was undertaken from March to April 2014 in Harari regional state. Stratification was done based on international standard classification by occupation 2010. The study was conducted among 424 urban civil servants. Using patient health questionnaire (PHQ-9), cases of depressive symptoms were identified according to the diagnostic statistical manual of mental disorder criteria. Data was collected using structured self-administered questionnaire. The association between dependent and independent variables was done by binary logistic regressions and backward stepwise method was employed. Result: -A total of 401 study participants were interviewed, giving a response rate of 95%. Sixty-six adults identified with symptoms depression in the last 2 weeks with over all prevalence of 16.5% (95% CI 13.2%–19.7%). After full adjustment for possible confounders the covariates marital status for sep/div/wid (AOR 3.31(1.20-9.13)), low work control (AOR=7.07 (95% CI 3.49-14.30), low job security (AOR=2.66 (95% CI 1.21-5.84) and job dissatisfaction (AOR=3.55 (95% CI 1.85-6.80) were found to be significantly associated with depression. Conclusion and recommendation: - The prevalence of depression was found to be high. Low control, low job security and job dissatisfaction were found to be significantly associated factors with depressive symptomatology. The psychosocial work environment is a better predicator of depressive symptoms than organizational factor. Therefore, improving psychosocial work environment is essential.