Mshelia Anthony Ali^1,, Onyencho Victor Chidi², Adebowale O. Timothy³

This study assessed the influence of demographic and clinical factors on depression among one hundred and ninety one (191) stroke patients who attended the medical outpatient clinics of the department of medicine, State Specialist Hospital, Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria. Stroke patients who were adults (18years and above) and had a stroke at least two months prior with a residual neurological deficits were interviewed with the depression module of the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV axis-I disorders (SCID) and the Hamilton Depression Scale using accidental sampling techniques. The prevalence of depression was 52.9%. Depression among the patients were associated with younger age (χ2=12.515; p=0.002). There is a significant relationship between depression and duration of Cerebro-vascular accidents (CVA) of the participants (χ2=22.2; p=0.000), the highest prevalence of depression was among the most recent stroke victims. The findings revealed the magnitude and correlates of depression among patients with CVA. Therefore, there is need to incorporate post-stroke psychosocial adjustment evaluation, psychiatric and psychological interventions to this vulnerable group to facilitate their rehabilitation and enhance their psychological wellbeing and recovery.

age, depression, clinical factor, stroke