Publication:

Prevalence of depression among healthcare workers of primary healthcare centre in northern Kerala

Background Depression is projected to be leading psychiatric disease in India by 2030. Depression among health care workers (HCWs) can potentially be disastrous to health care system. Objective was to estimate the prevalence and to study demographic factors associated with depression among healthcare workers.

Methods A descriptive cross-sectional study was done in primary health care centres at Tirurangadi taluk, Malappuram District, Kerala and the study period was 1 month (15th July 2023 to 15th August 2023). Sample size selection was done by simple random sampling, purpose method. Hospital anxiety depression scale was used to assess depression among health care workers.

Results The overall magnitude of depression was found to be 44% and which was statistically not significant with demographic factors such as gender, age and occupation.

Conclusions In present study shows among 150 participants, 66 were found to be depressed and there is no association with demographic factors such as gender, age and designation. Depression was seen slightly higher among nurses than Asha workers and doctors.