Depression and associated factors among geriatric population in Moshi district council, Northern Tanzania.

BACKGROUND: Depression in the elderly population has been identified as a significant public health problem associated with adverse outcomes such as decreased quality of life, cognitive decline, and increased rates of suicide. We aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with depressive symptoms among geriatric population in Moshi district council, northern Tanzania. METHODS: This community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Moshi rural district, northern Tanzania, between June and July 2019. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to recruit 304 elders aged 60 or more years. We used geriatric depression scale (GDS-15) to assess depression. Generalized linear model with Poisson family and log link function was used to estimate prevalence ratio (PR) and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals for factors associated with geriatric depressive symptoms. RESULTS: A total of 304 participants were enrolled, the median age (interquartile range) 67 (62-75.5 years), and about half (51%) were females. The prevalence of geriatric depressive symptoms was 44.4%. Elders with a self-reported history of cognitive impairment had higher prevalence of depressive symptoms (PR = 1.66, 95%CI 1.16, 2.38) while elders with intermediate (PR = 0.56, 95%CI 0.38, 0.82) and strong social support (PR = 0.27, 95%CI 0.17, 0.44) were less likely to have depressive symptoms compared to those with no available social support. CONCLUSIONS: Nearly one in every two elders had geriatric depressive symptoms. Depressive symptoms were associated with self-reported history of cognitive impairment and availability of social support. We recommend community screening, awareness creation, and social support interventions for early identification and management of depressive symptoms in this population.

Factors associated with mental distress among undergraduate students in northern Tanzania.

BACKGROUND: Mental distress is a major public health problem which includes anxiety, depression and somatic symptoms such as sleeping problems, fatigue and headache. University students are consistently reported to have higher levels of mental distress compared to the general population. Although university students with mental distress have significantly impaired cognitive functioning, learning disabilities and poor academic performance, the burden of this problem in Tanzania is unknown. This study aimed to determine prevalence and factors associated with mental distress among undergraduate students in northern Tanzania. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among undergraduate students at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College from April-July 2018. Simple random sampling technique using probability proportional to size was used to sample students from their respective classes. Mental distress was screened using the self-reporting questionnaire (SRQ-20). Data was analyzed using Stata version 15.1. Frequencies and percentages were used to summarize categorical variables while mean and standard deviation for numeric variables. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine factors associated with mental distress adjusted for potential confounders. RESULTS: A total of 402 undergraduate students participated in this study, 14% screened positive for mental distress. Residing off-campus (OR = 0.44, 95%CI 0.20-0.96) and perceived availability of social support (OR = 0.22, 95%CI 0.11-0.45) reduced the odds of mental distress while students with family history of mental distress (OR = 2.60, 95%CI 1.04-6.57) and those with decreased grades than anticipated (OR = 3.61, 95%CI 1.91-6.83) had higher likelihood of mental distress. CONCLUSION: One in every ten students screened was positive for mental distress. Those who reported a family history of mental illness and lower grades than anticipated had higher response of mental distress. To relieve students from stress and frustrations related to studies and their lives in general, this study recommends awareness creation, counselling to help those with mental health issues, establishment of student drop-in centers for such services and promotion of social and recreational activities at the college.

Suicidal Attempts among Secondary School-Going Adolescents in Kilimanjaro Region, Northern Tanzania.

Suicide attempts among adolescents are common and can lead to death. The study aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with suicide attempts among secondary school-going adolescents in the Kilimanjaro region, northern Tanzania. The study used data from two repeated regional school-based student health surveys (RSHS), conducted in 2019 (Survey 1) and 2022 (Survey 2). Data were analyzed for secondary school students aged 13 to 17 years from four districts of the Kilimanjaro region. The study included 4188 secondary school-going adolescents: 3182 in Survey 1 and 1006 in Survey 2. The mean age in Survey 1 was 14 years and the median age in Survey 2 was 17 years (p < 0.001). The overall prevalence of suicide attempts was 3.3% (3.0% in Survey 1 and 4.2% in Survey 2). Female adolescents had higher odds of suicide attempts (aOR = 3.0, 95% CI 1.2-5.5), as did those who felt lonely (aOR = 2.0, 95% CI 1.0-3.6), had ever been worried (aOR = 1.9, 95% CI 1.0-3.5), or had ever been bullied (aOR = 2.2, 95% CI 1.2-4.1). Suicidal attempts are prevalent among secondary school-going adolescents in the Kilimanjaro region, northern Tanzania. In-school programs should be established to prevent such attempts.