Abstract:
Abstract
Background: depression is a significant preventable public health issue; which is prevalent and
disabling worldwide. It is common mental illness among teachers and highly prevalent. Despite
depression is highly prevalent world wide there is narrow information about teacher’s depression and
its associated factor in Ethiopia.
Objective: To assess magnitude and associated factors of depression among high and preparatory
public-school teachers in Gondar town, Northwest Ethiopia, 2020.
Methods: Institution based cross-sectional study was conducted among randomly selected 328 high
and preparatory public-school teachers from February to March in Gondar town. Simple random
sampling technique was applied for data collection. A structured self-administered questionnaire was
used to collect data. Depression declared at teachers with scores of 5 and above in <Patient health
questionnaire -9>. Bivariate and multivariate binary logistic regressions were computed to asses
variables were associated with depression. Statistically significant were declared p-value of less than
0.05.
Result: The prevalence of depression was found to be 44.7% 95% CI (39, 50). Perceived life stress
AOR 2.6 95% CI (1.10, 6.25) moderate and AOR 2.96 95% CI (1.29,7.02) for severe perceive stress
, AOR 6.2 95% CI (1.33,29.66) for poor social support , AOR 3.04 95% CI ( 1.75,5.30) for current
use substance , AOR .34 95 %CI(.16,71) work experience for 7-14 years and AOR .45 95 % CI
(.21,.95) work experience for 15-20 years were significantly associated .
Conclusion and recommendation; depression is high among high and preparatory school
teachers. There fore it is important to be aware of factors that may be interconnected with depression,
such as social support and perceived stress, current substance use and work experience.
Intervention has to be carried out by stake holders on perceived stress management, current
substance use prevention and mental health promotion in schools.
