The frequency of depression in the treatment of Multidrug Resistant Tuberculosis

Abstract

Background: Multi drug resistant Tuberculosis (MDR-TB) and depression both remains one of the biggest health problems in developing and industrialized countries and is associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality. Treatment adverse events, psychological problems (depression), pill burden, rigidity of DOT, psychosocial support and interaction with health personnel pose major challenges to adherence for concomitant anti-TB and antiretroviral treatments.Objective: To determine the frequency of depression after six months treatment of multidrug resistant tuberculosis.Materials and Methods:  The Cross sectional descriptive study was conducted at Department of Pulmonology, PMDT centre, Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar (LRH) on patients enrolled for MDR-TB treatment. In this study a total of 178 cases is calculated with 95% confidence level, 5% margin of error and taking expected percentage of depression i.e. 13.3% in patients under treatment for multidrug resistant tuberculosis with the help of WHO software for sample size determination. More over non-probability consecutive sampling technique was used for sample collection. Duration of the study is six months.Results:  The total of 178 MDR-TB patients was recruited for the study. Out of 178 registered patients, 21 (12%) had depression after six months of treatment. And most of the female patients were found to be depressed.Conclusion:  Our study concludes that the frequency of depression was found to be12%after six months treatment of multidrug resistant tuberculosis.