PREVALENCE, RISK FACTORS AND PERCEIVED MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES OF DEPRESSION AMONG TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS PATIENTS IN BUEA AND LIMBE REGIONAL HOSPITAL

Purpose: Depression is the most common psychiatric disorder among Type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with a prevalence of 15% to 24%.The prevalence of depression among T2DM patients in the world is 13%.In Cameroon, A cross-sectional study was carried out in the Douala General Hospital among Type 2 diabetes mellitus patients who were receiving chronic care in the outpatient diabetes unit. Depression was assessed using the 9-item-Patient Health Questionnaire. Out of the 177 participants, 52 had depression. This study was aimed at investigating the prevalence, risk factors and perceived management strategies of depression among T2DM patients in the Buea and Limbe Regional Hospital.

Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional hospital-based study conducted from September 2024 to June 2025 in Buea and Limbe Regional Hospital. A Purposive Sampling technique was used to collect data while a convenience sampling technique was used to choose the health facility. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire which included the Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9) filled by the participants with guidance. Data collected was entered into Microsoft Excel 2021 and analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 28.0.

Findings: A total of 79 participanted in the study, the majority 64(81.0%) were surveyed in Buea, while only 15 (19.0%) were from Limbe. The Prevalence of Depression in Buea and Limbe Regional Hospital among T2DM patients was high. The results revealed that 74(92.4) patients had depression. Among the depressed participants, 36(45.6%) had moderate depression, followed by 34(43.0%) with mild depression, and 3(3.8%) with severe depression. 81.0% of the patients experienced chronic stress. 92.4% of the patients reported taking their medications.

Implications to Theory, Practice and Policy: Nurses should identify the prevalence, risk factors and know perceived management strategies of depression among Type 2 diabetes mellitus patients.