The Prevalence of Depression and Its Relationship with Demographic Variables in the Employees of Fasa University of Medical Sciences

Background & Objective: Depression is one of the most prevalent psychiatric disorders. It causes enormous amount of costs for employees and leads to reduced social and occupational functions severely. This investigation was conducted to study depression prevalence and its relationship with demographic variables among Fasa University of Medical Sciences employees in ۲۰۱۷. Materials & Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted among ۱۴۹ employees working at Fasa University of Medical Sciences in ۲۰۱۷. The data collection instruments included a demographic questionnaire and the Beck II standard questionnaire. The data were analyzed by SPSS (version ۱۸) and through descriptive, Chi-۲ and correlation tests. The significance level was considered at P<۰.۰۵. Results: ۴۴.۸ and ۵۵.۲ percent were males and females respectively. Their mean age was ۳۴.۴۱ ± ۷.۰۱ with age range from ۲۲ to ۵۵ years old. The mean year of working record was ۸.۶ ± ۱۶.۳۶ with range of ۱-۲۷. Most of employees (۷۷.۹ percent) were married and ۴۴.۸ percent of them had B.S level of education. The results of present study show that ۳۸.۶ percent of employees suffered from different levels of depression so that ۱۶.۶, ۱۷.۹ and ۴.۱ percent of them had mild, average and severe to very severe depression, respectively. There was a significant correlation between employee's depression and their education level (p=۰.۰۲). Conclusion: Consequently, it is suggested to establish consulting centers in universities in order to screen employees’ health status. They can find susceptible cases and provide them with any necessary interventions to control their depression and cure them.

Keywords:

Depression , Occupational Groups , Demographic variables , Psychiatric