Frequency of Depression and its Associated Factors Among Stroke Survivors in a Tertiary Hospital in Nigeria.

Background: Stroke is a leading cause of disability and mortality worldwide, and post-stroke depression is a common neuropsychiatric complication. Post-stroke depression is associated with increased disability, diminished quality of life, and elevated mortality rates among stroke survivors. Recognizing how common depression is among stroke survivors and the factors associated with it are crucial for timely intervention and improved rehabilitation outcomes.

Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study conducted at Jos University Teaching Hospital, with 396 adult stroke survivors. Participants were screened for depression using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Confirmatory diagnoses were established using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-4 (SCID-IV). Data were analysed using SPSS version 25.

Results: Among the 396 stroke survivors, 81.8% screened positive for depression on the PHQ-9, while 87.9% were classified as depressed using the BDI. The SCID-IV confirmed depression in 42.4% of participants. Factors associated with post-stroke depression included elevated waist-hip ratio (AOR = 8.226; 95% CI: 2.628-25.760; p < 0.001), repeat stroke (AOR = 5.034; 95% CI: 2.767-9.160; p < 0.001), elevated body mass index (AOR = 3.007; 95% CI: 1.872-4.828; p < 0.001), post-stroke dependency (AOR = 2.798; 95% CI: 1.738-4.508; p < 0.001), and diabetes mellitus (AOR = 2.145; 95% CI: 1.309-3.513; p = 0.003).

Conclusion: The frequency of depression among stroke survivors in Jos was high. The determinants of depression were obesity, previous history of stroke, diabetes mellitus and post-stroke disability. Early detection and targeted interventions are recommended to enhance better outcomes.