The rising burden of diabetes in developing countries is a call for concern. In Cameroon there is little data in Cameroon on the mental health status of people living with diabetes. This study assessed the mental health status (depression and anxiety) of people living with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) seeking treatment in the Buea Regional Hospital, Cameroon. The study was a hospital-based cross-sectional study, involving 230 type 2 diabetic patients seeking treatment in the Buea Regional hospital. Quantitative data on depression and anxiety was collected using standard questionnaires Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ9) and Generalize Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7). The scores were used to determine the prevalence of depression and anxiety. A binary logistic regression was done to determine the factors independently associated with anxiety and depression among T2DM. A total of 230 participants were recruited into the study with more than half being female 164 (71.3%). The mean age of 56.8 ±12.37. The prevalence of anxiety and depression were (19.6%) and (30.0%) respectively. Anxiety was associated with the level of income (AOR= 9.28, 95%CI 1.07-80.37) and the duration of the diseases (AOR= 6.64, 95%CI 2.34-18.91). Likewise, depression was also associated with level of income (AOR= 4.50, 95%CI 1.13-18.00) and the duration of the disease (AOR= 2.46, 95%CI 1.35-5.16) Those with comorbidity (AOR= 2.26) were more likely to be depressed compared to those without co-morbidity. Those who did physical exercises were less likely to be depressed (AOR= 0.41) compared to those who didn’t do physical exercise. In conclusion, these findings provide context-specific evidence to guide interventions aimed at improving the psychosocial well-being of type 2 diabetic patients in Cameroon. We therefore recommend from the highlight of the study, the necessity to screen diabetic patients for mental health related issues and to incorporate mental health counselling in their hospital care.
Esembeson et al. (Tue,) studied this question.