The Prevalence Of Depression Among Patients With Burns Admitted At Kenyatta National Hospital.
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Date
2013Author
Macharia, Lucy Muthoni
Type
ThesisLanguage
enMetadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Burn injuries are devastating, sudden and unpredictable forms of trauma which affect
the victim both physically and psychologically. Depression is one of the
psychological complications that follow burn patients which has an effect on physical
functioning and recovery on the burn survivor. While, modern treatments developed
in the last 60 years have significantly improved the outcome of large burns which can
be fatal, especially in children and young adults, little emphasis has been put in
respect of psychological treatment thus, leaving the patients with both physical and
psychological disabilities.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to establish the prevalence of depression among
patients with burns admitted at Kenyatta National Hospital.
SITE
The study was carried out at KNH. burns’ unit and Ward 4D which cater for burn
patients.
STUDY DESIGN
The study design for this research was a cross-sectional descriptive study.
STUDY POPULATION & SAMPLING METHOD
The study participants were in-patients with burns who were 18 years of age and
above, who gave consent and those who were medically stable.
The Sample population was made up of 101 patients, computed on a three month
admission record, of which 55 were recruited. Purposive sampling method was used.
DATA ANALYSIS
Data was analyzed using SPSS Version 17.0: descriptive statistics was used and data
presented in tables, pie charts and graphs.
INSTRUMENTS;
A structured socio-demographic questionnaire & Beck’s Depression Inventory scale
were used to assess for depression.
RESULTS
The data was analyzed according to SPSS Version 17 and presented at 95%
confidence interval.
Fifty five participants were recruited in the study, 30 patients were male (54.4%), and
25 were female (45.5%). The mean age was 31.5 years. Depression was found in
47(85.5%) of the patients, 6 (10.9%) had mild depression, 26 (47.3%) had moderate
and 15(27.3%) had severe depression. Flame burns caused by stove and kerosene
lamp were most common. Depression was associated to the length of hospital stay
with p-value of 0.011 and the level of income earned by the patient with a p-value
0.014.
CONCLUSION
Depression was present in 47 (85.5%) of patients following burn injury. This study
shows the importance of psychological assessment during treatment of burn patients
and hence holistic treatment following burn injury.
Citation
Lucy Muthoni Macharia (2013). The Prevalence Of Depression Among Patients With Burns Admitted At Kenyatta National Hospital. A Dissertation In Part Fulfilment Of The Requirement For The Award Of The Degree Of Master Of Science In Clinical Psychology Of The University Of Nairobi.Publisher
University of Nairobi School of Medicine