Predictors of depression among caregivers of patients with severe mental illness in Northwest Ethiopia, 2023: an explanatory sequential mixed-method study

Birhanu Mengist Munie; Zelalem Birhan; Getasew Legas; Sintayehu Asnakew; Amsalu Belete; Getnet Mihretie Beyene; Kirubel Shiferaw; Anemut Tilahun Mulu; Yohannes Tesfahun Kassie; Tigabu Munye Aytenew; Assasahegn Tedla

doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1422104

Predictors of depression among caregivers of patients with severe mental illness in Northwest Ethiopia, 2023: an explanatory sequential mixed-method study

Front Psychiatry. 2024 Sep 20:15:1422104. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1422104. eCollection 2024.

Affiliations

¹ Department of Psychiatry, College of Health Sciences, Debre Tabor University, Debre Tabor, Ethiopia.
² Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia.
³ Department of Biochemistry, College of Health Sciences, Debre Tabor University, Debre Tabor, Ethiopia.
⁴ Department of Emergency and Critical Care Nursing, College of Health Sciences, Debre Tabor University, Debre Tabor, Ethiopia.
⁵ Department of Nursing, College of Health Sciences, Debre Tabor University, Debre Tabor, Ethiopia.

Abstract

Background: Severe mental illness results in an enormous social and economic burden on affected individuals, their families, and communities, especially in developing countries, such as Ethiopia.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the level of depression among caregivers of patients with severe mental illness in Debre Tabor Town, Northwest Ethiopia in 2023.

Methods: This institution-based explanatory mixed study was conducted at Debre Tabor Compressive Specialized Hospitals between September 30 to October 30, 2023. A systematic random sampling technique was used to select 260 study participants, and a public health questionnaire was used to assess depression. Epicollect5 was used to collect data, which were then exported to the SPSS-25 for analysis. Variables with a p-value <0.25 were considered candidates for the multivariate logistic regression analysis. The odds ratios with a 95% confidence interval were used to determine the strength of the association. An in-depth interview was conducted with 11 participants, selected using purposive sampling.

Results: The prevalence of depression was 31.3% (95% CI = 29.7-38.6). The multivariate analysis showed that being female (AOD = 2.43, CI = 1.42-7.23), divorced/widowed (AOD = 1.8, CI = 1.32-6.34), poor social support (AOD = 2.2, CI = 1.9-5.87), and perceived stigma (AOD = 2.33, CI = 0.24-13.22) were positively associated with depression. The qualitative results suggest that being female, illiterate, severity of the illness, poor social support, and stigma were factors for depression.

Conclusions and recommendations: The prevalence of depression was high among caregivers of patients with severe mental illness. Female sex, being divorced or widowed, being illiterate, poor social support, and perceived stigma were the contributing factors. This implies that a greater focus on caregivers and the government increases mental health literacy and mental health community services.

Keywords: Ethiopia; caregiver; depression; mental illness; severe mental illness.

Grants and funding

The author(s) declare that no financial support was received for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.