Depression with Chronic Diseases at Special Clinic in Si Satchanalai Hospital, Sukhothai Province

Abstract

The committed suicide rate in Si Satchanalai was 10.34 per 100,000 population in 2007.  There were 7/10 cases having depression related to chronic diseases and higher than that ofThailandas a whole.  The depression and committed suicide rates in Si Satchanalai hospital 2007 was 1.5 and 5.5 times of those reported in 2005.  The objectives of this study were to survey to determine rates of depression and attempted suicide among population with chronic diseases at a special clinic during the period December 2007 in Si Satchanalai hospital.  This was a descriptive study, employing two question screening for risk assessment of depression in the first step; it was then followed by the depression as listed by the Mental Health Department.  Out of the 2,854 patients attending 351 persons were randomly selected.  Attending diabetic, hypertention, HIV and tuberculosis clinic,  depression problems were reported in 218 cases (69.11%).  The highest percentage were in DM 105 screening cases (48.17%), HT 83 cases (38.07%) and HIV 22 cases (10.09%).  This study showed that preventive interventions should be launched among high risk group and database of attempted suicide should be integrated with that of chronic disease clinic.