Prevalence and associated factors of depression among people with epilepsy in Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Abstract Background Depression is the most common comorbid psychiatric disorders that affect people with epilepsy. We aim to determine the prevalence of depression and associated factors among people with epilepsy. Results The prevalence of depression was found to be 34.8%. Unable to read and write (AOR = 0.400, 95% CI: 0.162, 0.986), long duration of the medication intake at least for 11 years (AOR = 3.715, 95% CI: 1.498, 9.212), absence of improvement with antiepileptic drugs (AOR = 0.216, 95% CI: 0.101, 0.460), feeling of perceived stigma (AOR = 0.244, 95% CI: 0.129, 0.462), stress symptoms (AOR = 0.452, 95% CI: 0.220, 0.928), were significantly associated with depression. Conclusions Prevalence of depression among people with epilepsy was high. Therefore, early screening and management is mandatory. This is the first research study, to our knowledge, that evaluates the association between substance use, sexual and physical abuse among people with epilepsy with depression. Therefore, future research needs to investigate the association.