Screening for depression at the primary care level: Evidence for policy decision-making from a facility in Pretoria, South Africa

Socioeconomic inequality in the outcomes of a psychological intervention for depression for South Africans with a co-occurring chronic disease: A decomposition analysis

Task-shared psychological interventions are effective for reducing the severity of depression symptoms, but differences in treatment outcome by socioeconomic status is uncertain. This study examines socioeconomic inequalities (SEI) in depression outcomes among people with HIV and/or diabetes who participated in a cluster randomised controlled trial in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. The trial took place at 24 primary care clinics randomised to deliver a task-shared psychological intervention or treatment as usual (TAU). The trial enrolled 1119 participants meeting criteria for probable depression. Depression symptom severity was evaluated at baseline and 24-month follow-up. Using a concentration index (CI), SEIs in depression were assessed for the intervention and TAU arms. Demographic and socioeconomic variables were used to decompose the CI to identify contributors to SEI. Results indicate poorer participants at the intervention arm have significantly worse 24-month outcomes than wealthier counterparts (CI = - 0.080; SE = 0.025). Race (34.2%), unemployment (17.4%) and food insecurity (15%) were the main contributing factors. While policymakers need to invest in psychological interventions to reduce the burden caused by depression, this study suggests treatment outcomes may be different across the socioeconomic spectrum. Decomposition of these findings points to structural constraints, such as unemployment, as the key contributors towards poorer treatment outcomes. These findings suggest a need to combine psychological interventions with structural interventions that address the broader socio-economic determinants of mental health.

Assessment of Depressive Symptoms and Sociodemographic Correlates of Adult Patients Attending a National Health Insurance Clinic at a Tertiary Hospital, Southwest Nigeria

Background

Depression affects individuals across all age groups, genders, and socio-economic backgrounds. Socio-demographic correlates of depression may include factors such as age, gender, education level, income, and marital status. These factors, including the presence of chronic diseases, have been shown to impact the prevalence and severity of depression. This study assessed the prevalence of depressive symptoms and its association with socio-demographic correlates and co-morbid chronic medical conditions among adult patients attending a National Health Insurance Clinic of a tertiary health facility in Southwest Nigeria.

Methodology

A hospital-based descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted between April - May 2023 in which 250 consenting adult patients were recruited using a systematic random sampling technique. Respondents' information on socio-demographic profiles and awareness of co-morbid medical conditions were assessed using semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaires. Depressive symptoms were determined using the Patient Health Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20. The strength of the association between independent and dependent variables was measured using chi-square and the p-value was set as <0.05.

Results

The mean age of respondents was 38.96±13.096 years (range: 18-80 years). There were 159 (63.6%) females. The prevalence of depressive symptoms was 44.8%. There was a statistically significant association between age, gender, marital status, monthly income, presence of chronic diseases, and depressive symptoms.

Conclusion

The prevalence of depressive symptoms among adult patients attending the National health insurance clinic was 44.8%. These findings call for health policies to integrate and strengthen mental health in NHIA primary care.

Depression Symptoms among Family Members of Nyaope Users in the City of Tshwane, South Africa

Substance abuse brings major negative social and health impacts in South Africa. Nyaope, a cocktail drug commonly used in the Tshwane townships, has been well documented to be highly addictive and very difficult to quit. The resultant difficulties include financial, social, and mental, specifically depression and anxiety. This study aims to quantify the depression levels among family members with nyaope users in Tshwane, South Africa. The study used a quantitative cross-sectional design to collect data in nine Tshwane communities. The patient health questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) screening tool and demographic data collection questionnaires were used to collect data from a sample of 390 male and female family members who included mothers, fathers, grandparents, aunts, uncles, partners, and siblings of nyaope users, and who share a home with them. The ages of the participants ranged from 18 to 87 years, with a mean age of 47 years, while the ages of the nyaope users ranged from 17 to 55 years, with a mean age of 30 years. Depression scores ranged from 0 to 27 with a mean of 7. Depressive symptoms, as measured by the PHQ-9 scores of 5 and above, were reported by 49% of the sample. The levels of depression symptoms ranged from mild to severe, and the severity was higher among female, unemployed, and single participants. As with many others, these participants were not diagnosed and therefore were not treated. The study, therefore, identified that living with nyaope users is associated with the development of different levels of depression symptoms and has resulted in reduced quality of life among family members. The study recommends interventions that intentionally focus on families who live with individuals who are addicted to nyaope. Those interventions should focus on screening and treatment of depression and other mental disorders.