Depression, Anxiety and Stress Among People Living Chronic Hepatitis B
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Date
2024-11
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
This study investigates depression, anxiety, and stress among individuals living with chronic Hepatitis B (CHB)
and receiving follow-up care at St. Paul’s Millennium Medical College, aiming to assess the associations between
socio-demographic factors and these mental health outcomes and identify potential predictors of each condition.
An institutional-based cross-sectional design was employed, using a quantitative approach to gather data from a
sample of 262 individuals with CHB. The Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21) was administered to
evaluate participants’ emotional states, and both stratified and simple random sampling methods were applied to
select the study group. Descriptive statistics were calculated to establish prevalence rates, with Chi-square tests
analyzing associations between socio-demographic and clinical factors (age, gender, income, education, family
size, year since diagnosed, medication status and adherence) and levels of depression, anxiety, and stress.
Further, binary logistic regression was used to determine the significance of socio-demographic variables in
predicting these mental health outcomes. The findings revealed that 24% of participants experienced symptoms of
depression, 23.6% exhibited anxiety, and 19% reported stress. Depression and anxiety were notably more
prevalent among females, while stress levels were higher among participants with lower income and educational
attainment. Chi-square analysis indicated that while most socio-demographic factors did not demonstrate
statistically significant associations with mental health outcomes, education and income levels were associated
with heightened rates of depression, anxiety, and stress. Logistic regression results indicated that income level
was a significant predictor of depression, with higher-income individuals showing greater odds of depressive
symptoms possibly due to the social pressures and expectations they face, which may compound feelings of
isolation and stigma often experienced by CHB individuals. Additionally, lower education and income levels were
significantly associated with increased stress, suggesting socio-economic factors play a crucial role in the mental
health of this population. These findings emphasize the psychological burden of CHB, particularly for women and
those with limited educational and financial resources, who are at higher risk of anxiety and stress. In conclusion,
the study underscores the need for comprehensive mental health support tailored to the socio-economic and
educational challenges faced by people with CHB. Incorporating accessible counseling services, educational
resources, and social support within CHB treatment programs could help alleviate the psychological strain on
these patients, ultimately improving adherence to treatment and enhancing quality of life
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Keywords
chronic Hepatitis B (CHB)