Prevalence of and Factors Associated with Depression in Thai Adult General OPD Patients at Phanomphrai Hospital, Roi-Et Province, Thailand

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To explore the prevalence and determine the factors related to depression in Thai adult general OPD patients at Phanomphrai hospital. METHOD: A cross-sectional study was carried out among Thai adult general OPD patients at Phanomphrai hospital, age 18-59 years. 425 patients were asked to complete a structure face-to-face interview assessing several variables. The PRQ85, life stress event, and HRSR Scale were used to evaluate social support, stress life events, and depression. The variables were determined by percentage, mean, standard deviation, Chi-square, independent t-test, and Pearson Correlation. RESULTS: The prevalence of depression was 11.5% (mild to moderate 8.0% severe 3.5%). Marital status, family member living with, and history of depression was statistically sigdicant related with depression (p<0.001), gender, occupation, and depression in family was statistically sigmficant related with depression (p<0.05). Social support was statistically significant negative correlated with depression (r = -.647, p<0.001). Stress in life was statistically significant positive correlated with depression (r = .648, pcO.001). CONCLUSION: Disrupted marriage, psychosocial factors, and history of depression were found to have high relationship with depression. Scrupulous diagnosis for depressed subjects, special taking care of vulnerable group, education, and appropriate activities for reducing risk factors to depression are recommended to improve quality of life among Phanomphrai people.