Sociodemographic Characteristics of Patients with Depression in Chronic Kidney Disease in a Tertiary Hospital in Kaduna State, Nigeria

Background: Improved knowledge of the sociodemographic characteristics of patients with depression and their quality of life in chronic kidney disease (CKD) can assist patients, carers and policy makers in the prevention and care of these patients leading to better overall outcome of CKD. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study of 200 patients with CKD who were recruited by simple random sampling, administered the socio-demographic/clinical Questionnaire, then screened with General Health Questionnaire 12. Those that scored 3 and above and randomly selected 10 % of those with scoreless than 3 had the Schedule for Clinical Assessment in Neuropsychiatry administered to generate diagnoses of depression. All subjects had the WHOQoLbref Questionnaire administered. Result: Prevalence rate of depression in the sample was 30 % (23.1%-37.5%, 95% CI). There was no statistically significant association between sociodemographic/clinical variables and depressive disorders assessed except in the employment status (p=0.036). Individuals with complications of CKD experienced depressive disorders more than those without complications while married patients had a higher prevalence of depressive disorders. Conclusion: The high prevalence of married, educated males in this study underscores the importance of policy makers creating enabling socioeconomic environment to reduce the psychological pressure, sequelae of depression, increase access to care and improve QoL.