Prevalence and Associated Risks Factors of Psychological Distress among Tuberculosis Patients Receiving Treatment in the Buea and Limbe Regional Hospitals

Nkweleko Falone Fankam^1, , Akum Eric Achidi^{1, 2}, Tah Aldof Yoah^{1, 3}, Eric Berand Fokam^{1, 4} and Fai Bafon Theophile¹

¹Epidemiology and Control of Infectious Diseases, Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Buea, Buea 63, Cameroon

²Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Buea, Buea 63, Cameroon

³Department of Public Health and Hygiene, University of Buea, Buea 63, Cameroon

⁴Department of Zoology and Animal Production, University of Buea, Buea 63, Cameroon

Cite this paper:
Nkweleko Falone Fankam, Akum Eric Achidi, Tah Aldof Yoah, Eric Berand Fokam and Fai Bafon Theophile. Prevalence and Associated Risks Factors of Psychological Distress among Tuberculosis Patients Receiving Treatment in the Buea and Limbe Regional Hospitals. American Journal of Epidemiology and Infectious Disease. 2020; 8(1):5-12. doi: 10.12691/ajeid-8-1-2

Abstract

Introduction: Tuberculosis (TB) remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Mood disorders seem to be particularly common in TB patients. Psychological distress has been shown to reduce adherence to drugs thus negatively impacting prognosis. Objective: The present study was designed to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of psychological distress among tuberculosis patients in the Buea and Limbe TB treatment centers. Methodology: A cross sectional hospital-based study was carried out to achieve the objective. A structured questionnaire was administered to 300 TB patients to collect socio-demographic data. The Kessler psychological distress scale (k-10) was employed to ascertain the presence or absence of psychological distress. Data was analyzed using stata 13 and Nvivo 10. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify risk factors. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: The overall prevalence of psychological distress was 43.3% (95%CI: 40.7 - 49.4). The prevalence of mild, moderate and severe psychological distress were 35.3%, 7.0% and 1.0% respectively. Being HIV positive (AOR = 6.10, 95% CI: 2.64 - 14.01), having a low socioeconomic status (AOR = 2.50, 95% CI: 1.04 - 4.12), not receiving support from family members (AOR= 2.65; 95% CI: 1.60 - 4.32) and family history of psychological distress (AOR= 2.3; 95% CI: 1.01 - 4.02) significantly increased the odds of being psychologically distressed. Conclusion: The study found high rates of psychological distress among tuberculosis patients. Improved training of providers in screening for psychological distress, appropriate referral to relevant health practitioners and providing comprehensive treatment for patients with TB who are co-infected with HIV is essential to improve their health outcomes.

Keywords:
prevalence risks factors psychological distress tuberculosis patients Buea and Limbe Regional Hospitals

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