Prevalence of depressive symptoms among the clients maintained in methadone maintenance treatment programme at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital

Authors

  • N. Pathak Consultant, Department of Psychiatry, Armed Police Force Hospital
  • S.P. Ojha Professor and Head, Department of Psychiatry, IOM, Kathmandu
  • V.D. Sharma Professor, Department of Psychiatry, IOM, Kathmandu

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3126/jpan.v4i2.18322

Keywords:

Methadone Maintenance treatment program, opioids, depressive symptoms

Abstract

Introduction: Depression is widely prevalent among the former opioid addicts in Methadone Maintenance Treatment (MMT). It is important to be aware of its severity as it plays a crucial role in methadone dosage, length of time in treatment and the relapse rate. The co-existence of depression is seen to worsen the prognosis in outcome of MMT.

Objective: This study aimed to study the prevalence of the symptoms of depression among MMT clients.

Method: This is a descriptive and Cross-Sectional study done in 60 MMT clients attending the out patients clinic in Tribhuwan University Teaching Hospital, Nepal. A structured proforma was constructed obtaining the data regarding age, sex, religion, occupation, marital status, literacy rate and socio-economical status. Depressive symptoms were evaluated using 21-item BDI scale.

Result: Depressive symptoms were found in 63.3 % of the patients. 38.3% had mild to moderate depression, 15% had moderate to severe, and 11.7% had severe level of depressive symptoms. The depressive symptoms were most prevalent among females (90%) and age group 40-50 years. The prevalence of depressive symptoms were more in unmarried (82%), unemployed (65%), lower socio-economic class(71%) and completing only secondary level in education (73%).

Conclusion: The major risk factors for depression among former opioid users were female gender, unmarried, low education level, unemployment and low socio-economic status.

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Published

2017-09-29

How to Cite

Pathak, N., Ojha, S., & Sharma, V. (2017). Prevalence of depressive symptoms among the clients maintained in methadone maintenance treatment programme at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital. Journal of Psychiatrists' Association of Nepal, 4(2), 16–19. https://doi.org/10.3126/jpan.v4i2.18322

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Section

Original Articles