Prevalence of depression and associated factors among patients with epilepsy at public hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: Institution based cross-sectional Study

Background: People with epilepsy are more susceptible to psychiatric illnesses. The prevalence of depression is greater among people with epilepsy than among the general population. More severe co-morbid depression with epilepsy is linked to a poorer overall prognosis and a lower quality of life. Objective: This study assessed the prevalence of depression and associated factors among patients with epilepsy at public hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Methods: An institution based cross sectional study was conducted from July 1-30, 2023, among 591 epileptic patients in the follow-up units of Eka Kotebe General Hospital, St. Paul Hospital Millennium Medical College and Yekatit 12 Hospital Medical College. The study participants were selected via a systematic random sampling technique. A descriptive statistical method was used to generate frequencies and percentages. A Binary logistic regression model was used to assess the associations between independent variables and depression among epileptic patients. AORs were calculated and independent variables with p-value of ≤ 0.05 was considered significantly associated with depression among epileptic patients. The final model fitness was checked using the Hosmer- Lemshow goodness of fit test. Results: The prevalence of depression was 42.6%. Residence[AOR=0.26, 95% CI (0.17-0.39)], seizure frequency per month[AOR=2.24, 95% CI (1.23-4.10)], frequency of drug[AOR=1.98, 95% CI (1.19-3.28)] and social support[AOR=0.33, 95%CI (0.21-0.52) for moderate social support and AOR=0.46, 95% CI (0.28-0.77) for strong social support]were found to be significantly associated with depression. Conclusion: The prevalence of depression among patients with epilepsy at public hospitals in Addis Ababa was high. Healthcare professionals should emphasize epileptic patients with higher seizure frequency per month, a higher frequency of drug use and poor social support.Minster of health Should incorporate depression screening measures into existing epilepsy programs.