Knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding depression among primary health care providers in Fako division, Cameroon

Abstract Background Mental health and mental illness are often overlooked in the management of patients in our health services. Depression is a common mental disorder worldwide. Recognising and managing mental illnesses such as depression by primary health care providers (PHCPs) is crucial. This study describes the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of PHCPs regarding depression in Fako Division. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among PHCPs (general practitioners, nurses, pharmacy attendants and social workers) in public-owned health facilities in the four health districts in Fako Division. Participants were selected by a consecutive convenience sampling. A structured questionnaire including the Depression Attitude Questionnaire (DAQ) was used to collect information about their socio-demographic characteristics, professional qualifications and KAP about depression. Results The survey had a response rate of 56.7%. Most of the 226 participants (92.9%) were aware that depression needs medical intervention. Only 1.8% knew a standard tool used to diagnose depression. Two-thirds agreed that majority of the cases of depression encountered originate from recent misfortune. About 66% felt uncomfortable working with depressed patients. Also, 45.1% of PHCPs did not know if psychotropic drugs were available at pharmacies within their health area. Very few (15.2%) reported to have prescribed psychotropic drugs. Less than half (49.1%) of the participants had prior formal training in mental health. Conclusion PHCPs in Fako Division tend to have limited knowledge and poor attitudes regarding depression. Practices towards diagnosis and management of depression tend to be inadequate. There is an urgent need to train PHCPs in mental health in general and depression diagnosis and management in particular

Burnout as a correlate of depression among medical students in Cameroon: a cross-sectional study

Objective Burnout syndrome has been shown to mediate the pathway between job stress and depression. This study aims to assess the relationship between the various components of burnout syndrome and depression; and to determine the contribution of other sociodemographic variables to depression among medical students in Cameroon. Design A cross-sectional study. Setting Three of the five medical schools in Cameroon with students in both preclinical and clinical levels of studies. Participants The study included 413 consenting medical students. Primary outcome measure Data were collected via a printed self-administered questionnaire. The primary outcome—depression was assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire–9 (PHQ-9). Burnout was assessed using the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory. Multivariable linear regression was used to identify independent correlates of depression. Results The overall prevalence of depression (PHQ-9 >4) and major depressive disorder (PHQ-9 >9) in these students was 66.34% and 23.00%, respectively. After multivariable linear regression analysis, four variables—total OLBI (beta=0.32; 95% CI 0.22 to 0.42; p<0.001); number of children (beta=−2.26; 95% CI −3.70 to –0.81; p=0.002); occurrence of a life-changing crises (beta=1.29; 95% CI 0.13 to 2.45; p=0.029) and presence of a chronic illness (beta=3.19; 95% CI 0.96 to 5.42; p=0.005) significantly predicted depression in these students and explained 32.4% of the variance (R2=32.4, F[14, 204]=6.98, p<0.001). The emotional exhaustion component (R2=17.4, F[1, 411]=86.39, p<0.001) explained more of the variance in depression than the disengagement component (R2=6.1, F[1, 411]=26.76, p<0.001) of burnout syndrome. Conclusion The prevalence of depression among medical students in Cameroon is high. It is important that correlates of depression are identified early in medical students to limit progress to depression

Knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding depression among primary health care providers in Fako division, Cameroon

Abstract Background Mental health and mental illness are often overlooked in the management of patients in our health services. Depression is a common mental disorder worldwide. Recognising and managing mental illnesses such as depression by primary health care providers (PHCPs) is crucial. This study describes the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of PHCPs regarding depression in Fako Division. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among PHCPs (general practitioners, nurses, pharmacy attendants and social workers) in public-owned health facilities in the four health districts in Fako Division. Participants were selected by a consecutive convenience sampling. A structured questionnaire including the Depression Attitude Questionnaire (DAQ) was used to collect information about their socio-demographic characteristics, professional qualifications and KAP about depression. Results The survey had a response rate of 56.7%. Most of the 226 participants (92.9%) were aware that depression needs medical intervention. Only 1.8% knew a standard tool used to diagnose depression. Two-thirds agreed that majority of the cases of depression encountered originate from recent misfortune. About 66% felt uncomfortable working with depressed patients. Also, 45.1% of PHCPs did not know if psychotropic drugs were available at pharmacies within their health area. Very few (15.2%) reported to have prescribed psychotropic drugs. Less than half (49.1%) of the participants had prior formal training in mental health. Conclusion PHCPs in Fako Division tend to have limited knowledge and poor attitudes regarding depression. Practices towards diagnosis and management of depression tend to be inadequate. There is an urgent need to train PHCPs in mental health in general and depression diagnosis and management in particular

Additional file 1: of Knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding depression among primary health care providers in Fako division, Cameroon

Mental Health Questionnaire. Title of data: Questions used during the study “Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices regarding Depression among Primary Health Care Providers in Fako Division, Cameroon”. Description of data: The study was carried out using a 52 items structured questionnaire which was self-administered from July 2013 to December 2013. The questionnaire was divided into four main sections. Section one which collected information on the key socio-demographic variables of the PHCPs. Section two had 15 items to assess the knowledge of PHCPs about depression. Section four had 12 items on the practice about depression and prior training in mental health. The knowledge and practice items were selected from questions found in other studies [8, 15–18] and the questions were modified or rephrased for better understanding. Section three used the DAQ to assess the attitudes of the PHCPs to depression. The DAQ was originally devised for use in the United Kingdom and it has been used successfully by various health professionals in other developed countries [19–21] as well as in African settings [9, 22]. (DOCX 23 kb

Determinants of depression among nursing students in Cameroon: a cross-sectional analysis

Abstract Background Nursing students are highly susceptible to depression given the heavy workload and clinical demands of the curriculum. Depression has negative impacts on their health and academic performance. This study aimed to determine the determinants of depression amongst nursing students in the English-speaking regions of Cameroon. Methods A cross-sectional analysis of 447 nursing students recruited from a combination of state-owned and private nursing institutions in the English-speaking regions of Cameroon from January – April 2018 was carried out. Independent correlates of depression were determined using multivariable regression analysis, with the level of significance set at 95%. Results The overall prevalence of depression (Patient Health Questionnaire - 9 &gt; 4) and major depressive disorder (Patient Health Questionnaire - 9 &gt; 9) in these students was 69.57 and 26.40% respectively. Independent correlates of depression were found to be: total Oldenburg Burnout Inventory score (aOR: 1.18; 95% CI: 1.11, 1.25; p value &lt; 0.01); level of studies (aOR: 0.72; 95% CI: 0.55, 0.94; p value = 0.02) and occurrence of a life-changing crises (aOR: 2.13; 95% CI: 1.28, 3.55, p value &lt; 0.01). Conclusion The prevalence of depression amongst nursing students in Cameroon is high. Determinants proposed in this study require further assessment to facilitate early identification and management of depression in this high-risk group, in order to limit the negative effects linked with the condition. </jats:sec

Determinants of burnout syndrome among nursing students in Cameroon: cross-sectional study

Abstract Objectives Burnout syndrome defined as a state of emotional exhaustion and disengagement; which could reduce optimal healthcare delivery, is relatively common amongst healthcare trainees. We sought to assess the determinants of burnout syndrome amongst nursing students in Cameroon. A cross-sectional study which included 447 nursing students recruited after written informed consent by convenience sampling, was carried out from January to April 2018. A printed self-administered questionnaire assessing burnout using the OLdenburg Burnout Inventory was used. Multivariable linear regression was used to identify independent determinants of burnout syndrome. Results Most (81.17%) of the students were female with the average for disengagement items being 17.10 ± 3.09 (minimum = 8, maximum = 26) and 20.94 ± 3.04 (minimum = 13, maximum = 31) for exhaustion items. After multivariable linear regression analysis, satisfaction with results (RC: − 1.42, 95% CI − 2.52, − 0.32, p value: 0.012) and regret of choice of nursing studies (RC: 2.13, 95% CI 0.58, 3.68, p value = 0.007) were found to be independent predictors of burnout in these students. Early identification of these determinants is required to prevent progression to burnout

Prevalence, Risk Factors and Management of Type 2 Diabetes, and its Predictors among Patients Using Multinomial Logistic Modeling Approach: Case of a Semi-Urban Cameroonian

Background: Diabetes is a health problem worldwide. The prevalence of diabetes has been steadily increasing for the past three decades. Diabetes prevalence is growing most rapidly particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Areas undergoing rapid westernization and rapid nutrition transition are seeing the greatest increase in prevalence suggesting that environmental factors are important. Diabetes is known to have no cure but can be managed through diet and modification of lifestyles. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and the predictors of diabetes and its management in Kumba District Hospital (KDH).&#x0D; Study Design: A retrospective, and a cross sectional survey was done where semi structured questionnaires were administered to subjects.&#x0D; Methodology: Information from the hospital record for the past four years was used to evaluate the trend in the prevalence of diabetes. Information from questionnaires was used to assess the prevalence and management of the disease. Fasting plasma glucose was measured to know their diabetic status.&#x0D; Results: The results revealed an increasing trend in the prevalence but the increase was not statistically significant. The results showed that, there was an association between diabetes prevalence and management. The overall prevalence of diabetes from the study was evaluated at 43.98%. Age, level of education, dietary habit and alcohol were found to influence the prevalence of diabetes significantly. Management with respect to therapeutic education, and monitoring of blood sugar were statistically significant. The significant predictive variables of the occurrence of diabetes base on Ordinary least squares were found to be age, level of education, therapeutic education, alcohol consumption, sex, and frequency of eating white rice.&#x0D; Conclusion: The study revealed that, diabetes is highly prevalent among older persons and the less educated in KDH. Public health officials should educate the public on the risk factors of diabetes, and implement guidelines for adequate control and management.</jats:p

MOESM1 of Determinants of burnout syndrome among nursing students in Cameroon: cross-sectional study

Additional file 1. Covariances of various items on the OLBI and the associated alpha Cronbach coefficient of 0.6 showing that the items measure the same underlying construct—burnout

Burnout as a correlate of depression among medical students in Cameroon: a cross-sectional study

ObjectiveBurnout syndrome has been shown to mediate the pathway between job stress and depression. This study aims to assess the relationship between the various components of burnout syndrome and depression; and to determine the contribution of other sociodemographic variables to depression among medical students in Cameroon.DesignA cross-sectional study.SettingThree of the five medical schools in Cameroon with students in both preclinical and clinical levels of studies.ParticipantsThe study included 413 consenting medical students.Primary outcome measureData were collected via a printed self-administered questionnaire. The primary outcome—depression was assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire–9 (PHQ-9). Burnout was assessed using the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory. Multivariable linear regression was used to identify independent correlates of depression.ResultsThe overall prevalence of depression (PHQ-9 &gt;4) and major depressive disorder (PHQ-9 &gt;9) in these students was 66.34% and 23.00%, respectively. After multivariable linear regression analysis, four variables—total OLBI (beta=0.32; 95% CI 0.22 to 0.42; p&lt;0.001); number of children (beta=−2.26; 95% CI −3.70 to –0.81; p=0.002); occurrence of a life-changing crises (beta=1.29; 95% CI 0.13 to 2.45; p=0.029) and presence of a chronic illness (beta=3.19; 95% CI 0.96 to 5.42; p=0.005) significantly predicted depression in these students and explained 32.4% of the variance (R2=32.4, F[14, 204]=6.98, p&lt;0.001). The emotional exhaustion component (R2=17.4, F[1, 411]=86.39, p&lt;0.001) explained more of the variance in depression than the disengagement component (R2=6.1, F[1, 411]=26.76, p&lt;0.001) of burnout syndrome.ConclusionThe prevalence of depression among medical students in Cameroon is high. It is important that correlates of depression are identified early in medical students to limit progress to depression.</jats:sec

Additional file 1 of Determinants of depression among nursing students in Cameroon: a cross-sectional analysis

Additional file 1. Scatter plot showing the distribution of depression scores assessed using the PHQ-9 on the y-axis burnout syndrome scores assessed using the OLBI on the x-axis of 447 nursing students in the two English-speaking regions of Cameroon