DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2017.v05i06.032

Pages: 2212-2215

When the TB and depression coexist, the risk for developing co-morbidities, suffering of patients and associated costs escalates. Aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of and risk factors for depression among TB patients. A semi-structured, pre-designed questionnaire were used to assess socio- demographic profile of study subjects, using Beck’s Depression Inventory assessed controls and prevalence of depression. Patient who did not give consent and patients who were already diagnosed as case of depression and were undergoing treatment for depression prior to onset of TB were excluded. Prevalence of depression among tuberculosis patients was found to be 50%. Majority (85.9%) of patients had pulmonary TB. Treatment category I was prescribed for 70% of patients. The study highlighted older age, extensive pathology, unmarried status and lack of social support as risk factors for depression in patients. Findings are similar to those reported in other studies. In conclusion, depression is highly prevalent among patients in treatment for TB, most particularly among elderly, those with extensive disease, those from nuclear family and those who are unmarried.