Background: Although depression and anxiety disorders are very common in people with epilepsy; there are no\nstudies that assessed the magnitude and associated factors among epileptic people in Ethiopia. Therefore, this\nstudy determined prevalence and associated factors of depression and anxiety disorders in people with epilepsy.\nMethod: An institution based cross-sectional study was conducted from April to May, 2013, among 423 people\nwith epilepsy from the outpatient department of Amanuel Mental Specialized Hospital. Depression and anxiety\nwere assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess\npredictors of depression and anxiety.\nResults: The prevalence of anxiety and depression among epileptic people were 33.5 and 32.8 %, respectively.\nMonthly income, frequency of seizure and side effects of anti convulsants were found to be significantly associated\nwith both depression and anxiety. Being divorced/widowed was associated with anxiety while using poly-therapy\nof anti convulsants, perceived stigma, and inability to read or write were associated with depression.\nConclusion: The prevalence of co-morbid anxiety and depression was found to be high among people with\nepilepsy. Early identification of co-morbid depression and anxiety in people with epilepsy and managing epilepsy\nto become seizure free should be of great concern for health care providers.
Loading....