CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 INTRODUCTION AND STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

Depression is a mental disorder, characterized by sadness, loss of interest or pleasure, feeling of guilt or low self worth, disturbed sleep or appetite, feeling of tiredness and poor concentration (WHO, 2014).

Depression often comes with symptoms of anxiety. This problem can become chronic or recurrent and lead to substantial impairment in the individual’s ability to take care of his or her everyday responsibilities. At its worse, depression can lead to suicide. About one million lives are lost yearly due to suicide from depression; which translates to 300 suicidal deaths every day. For every 20 or more persons who attempt to end up his or her life, one person finally completes the suicide, (WHO, 2012).

There are nine (9) types of depressions namely ;major depression ,bipolar or manic depression, seasonal affection depression (SAD) ,persistent depression or dysthymia, psychotic depression ,pre-natal depression, post partum depression, atypical depression (Goldberg ,2014) .

Depression is caused by past physical, sexual or emotional abuse .Certain medications such as acutance (use to treat acne), conflict; death or loss of a loved one; genetics, major events, serious illness, substance abuse and other personal problems are other causes of depression. (Depression Health Centre ,2014).

Anxiety disorder such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive compulsive disorder, social problems and general anxiety disorder often accompany depression. (Mental Health Foundation, 2004)

Depression can develop at any age, the average age of onset is mid twenties (Pratt, 2006).

People who have stroke or who have disease like diabetes mellitus, cancer, Parkinson diseases and HIV/AIDS are at much greater risk of depression than the overall population who do not suffer from these diseases (Nami, 2014).

The earliest account of depression appeared Mesopotamian test in the second millennium BC. During that time it was called Melancholia. Melancholia was described as a distinct disease with mental and physical symptoms by Hippocrates. (Nemade, 2007).

Depression weakens the immune system and in general makes those suffering from it more prone to illness, aches and pains. People who have chronic medical condition may have a recurrence of this condition which may get worsen when they are depressed. Adults who lost a loved one sometimes develop new health problems as a result of severe depression (Nami, 2014).

Depression leads to decrease productivity both at work and with everyday tasks. It also leads to missed work days, physical and emotional disability and more frequent visit to the health centre (Pearls, 2013).

Depression will be the most common illness in the world by the year 2020.Depression is the highest cause of disability after heart disease and it meets the criteria for classification as a major public health burden (WHO, 2010).

Although at least 350million people live with depression, many often do not want to admit it. People suffer quietly at work unable to perform, or go on sick leaves, sometimes for long period (Report from WMHD, 2015).

Depression is a leading cause of dead and disability .Migrants from an increasing group in Europe who usually develop depression maked up to 8.7% of the population in 2010.knowlegde on migrants related in depression is of major public health interest (Levecque, 2015).

Efforts have been put in place to try to reduce the incidents of depression such as education of the population but the condition is still on the rise affecting millions of people worldwide. Globally more than 350million people of all ages suffer from depression (WHO, 2013).

Depression can cause an overall increase in maternity where those with depression can die 25years sooner than those without depression (Croft, 2013). Approximately 18.8million American adults or about 9.5% of the US population aged 18years and older in a given year, have depression disorder (CDC, 2014).

Bipolar depression affects 7% of the population of the united states meaning that ,there are millions of sufferers of depression in that country alone (Ama, 2004).

Maternal depression is a risk factor for the socio emotional and cognitive development of the fetus. The current prevalence of depression in Canada average at 16% which is similar to the rates in other western countries. However, the prevalence of postpartum depression in Canada each year is approximately 13% and women who have experienced postpartum depression have a 50%-62% risk for future depression (Canadian pedestal association, 2014).

In Africa, prenatal depression is responsible for up to 14%-32% of cases of low birth weight babies. Depression has been associated with economic depreciation especially in low income countries (Africa journal of psychiatry, 2008).

Kahbila (2016) stated that the prevalence of depression in TB patients is reported to be very high reaching as high as 95.5% in Nigeria

Kanmogne (2017) reported that studies have found high rate of depression symptoms amongst HIV/AIDS patients in Cameroon with reported prevalence of depression ranging from 21-36%.

The investigator witnessed a case in Alpha Club-Limbe, where a single mother lost her third child of about 13years old to a fire burn while she was frying egg and months later, her first child also died when this first child was pregnant and about to put to birth .This single mother became moderately depressed and overtime progressed to severe depressionwhich made her lost self-confidence, concentration and control.  She was filled with guilt. This single mother isolated herself and took to smoking and excessive alcohol consumption. All of these bordered the investigator and prompted her to find out if the inhabitants of Alpha Club-Limbe are knowledgeable on depression and its effects.

• RESEARCH QUESTION

What is the knowledge of the inhabitants of Alpha Club- Limbe on depression and its effects?

• OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

1.3.1 General Objective

           To access the knowledge of the inhabitants of Alpha Club-Limbe on depression and its effects and to proposed solutions based on the results of the study.

1.3.2 SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

• To identify demographic data of respondents
• To assess respondents’ knowledge on depression.
• To assess respondents knowledge on effects of depression.
• To propose solutions based on the results of the study.