Recognition of depression in children in general hospital-based paediatric units in Kenya: practice and policy implications

• Main Authors: Mutiso Victoria N, Khasakhala Lincoln I, Ndetei David M, Mbwayo Anne W
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2009-10-01
• Series: Annals of General Psychiatry
• Online Access: http://www.annals-general-psychiatry.com/content/8/1/25

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Physical disorders are commonly comorbid with depression in children attending general medical facilities. However, the depression component is rarely recognised.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A questionnaire on sociodemographics and history of presenting medical conditions was administered together with the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI) to all 11-year-old to 17-year-old children attending at nine medical facilities.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In all, 408 children were recruited from 9 health facilities. Whereas the clinicians diagnosed a mental disorder in only 2.5% of the sample studied, 41.3% had CDI scores that suggested mild to moderate depression. The highest proportion of children with depressive symptomatology was found at the Kenyatta National and Teaching Referral Hospital.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Although prevalence rate for depression among children is high, detection rates remain low. This finding has clinical practice and policy implications within and outside Kenya.</p>