Magnitude and factors associated with preoperative depression among elective surgical patients at University of Gondar comprehensive specialized hospital, North West Ethiopia: A cross-sectional study

Background: Depression one of the world's prevalent mental illnesses is a leading cause of major public health problems globally and its frequency has been increasing, particularly in low and middle-income countries. Little is known about the magnitude and contributing factors of preoperative depression among elective surgical inpatients in the country and in the study area as well. The aim of the current study was to assess the magnitude and factors associated with preoperative depression among elective surgical inpatients. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted from May 01, 2021 to June 30, 2021 among preoperative surgical inpatients at University of Gondar comprehensive specialized hospital. Non probability sampling was used. A nine-item questionnaire screening tool was used to assess depression. We computed the bi-variable and multi-variable binary logistic regression analyses. Crude and adjusted odds ratio with 95% confidence interval were used. Result: The magnitude of depression was 28.3%. In the multivariable logistic regression analysis female (AOR = 2.27, 95% CI: 1.15, 4.5), being widowed (AOR = 3.271, 95% CI: 1.25, 8.56), divorced (AOR = 3.41, 95% CI: 1.13, 10.26), length of hospital stay of 7-14 days (AOR = 2.7, 95%CI: 1, 7.2) and more than 14 days (AOR = 3.19, 95% CI: 1.3, 7.8), having co-existing diseases (AOR = 2.78, 95%CI: 1.28, 6.02), current history of pain (AOR = 3.12, 95%CI: 1.6, 5.7), admission to orthopedics (AOR = 3.28, 95%CI: 1.55, 6.95) and gynecology ward (AOR = 2.43, 95% CI: 1.03, 5.7) and poor social support AOR = 2.24, 95% CI: 1.1, 4.6) were significantly associated with depression. Conclusion: The magnitude of pre-operation depression was 28.3%. Female, Widowed, being divorced, length of hospital stays, coexisting chronic illness, current history of pain, admission at orthopedic and gynecology wards and poor social support were factors significantly associated with depression. We recommend strengthening the linkage of the psychiatric department with preoperative patients to provide psychotherapy behavioral modification.