Prevalence and Predictors of Diabetes Distress in Volta Region, Ghana: A Health Facility-Based Cross Sectional Study

Introduction: Diabetes distress is a common health problem among people living with Type 2 Diabetes (T2D), making it difficult to manage the condition. Though it remains a problem, limited attention has been given to the mental health impact is has on people living with the condition. Objective : Our study investigated the prevalence and predictors of diabetes distress at a public hospital in the Volta Region of Ghana. Design: This was a health facility-based cross-sectional study Setting: Public hospital in the Volta Region of Ghana. Participants: 164 people living with diabetes at the diabetes clinic. Data collection: We collected data using a standardized questionnaire, adopting the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and analyzed with descriptive statistics and logistic regression test using STATA v17.0. Statistical significance was set at a p-value <0.05 at 95% confidence interval. Results: We found a 43.9% prevalence of diabetes distress, including emotional (58.5%), interpersonal (51.8%), regimen-related (51.2%), and physician-related (12.8%). Those on combined insulin and oral antidiabetic drugs (OADs) had higher odds (aOR=7.26, 95%CI=1.15–45.87) of having diabetes distress compared to those on OAD only regimen. Conclusion: The high prevalence of diabetes distress highlights the mental health burden of diabetes and gaps in diabetes management, a critical factor for poor diabetes outcomes. This may decelerate progress towards the achievement of SDG 3.4 aiming to reduce premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment, and promote mental health and well-being by 2030.