DEPRESSION AMONG HEALTH WORKERS: A STUDY AT THE HO TEACHING HOSPITAL IN GHANA

Abstract

Objective: The current study is an effort to examine the level of depression and associated factors among health workers in Ghana. Methodology: The Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9) was used to screen 127 health workers of the Ho Teaching Hospital. These were participants who presented themselves for screening at the facility during the 2019 world mental health celebration in Ghana. Results: Descriptive analysis revealed that over 30% of participants experience moderate level of depression with females experiencing higher levels than males. However, inferential analysis revealed that differences in the levels of depression are not significant with regards to gender and department/job description, as well as no significance age impact on depression. However, married health worker reported significantly lower level of depression compared to health workers who are not married. Conclusion: Health workers experience depression. Some factors determine the levels of these condition, thereby requiring further investigations.