KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE CONCERNING DEPRESSION AMONGST GENERAL PRACTITIONERS IN HYDERABAD.

Abstract

Background: Depression is one of the most common mental disorders. It is widely recognized that there has
been an increase in the prevalence of depression all over the world. Globally, more than 350 million people have
depression, a mental disorder that prevents people from functioning well.
World Health Organization (WHO) estimates suggest that depression is common in all regions of the world. A
recent study supported by WHO revealed that around 5% of people in the community had depression during the
last year.
The vital role of General Practitioner plays in the health care services of a community cannot be under estimated.
In developed countries, primary care physicians manage most patients with depression. Realizing the importance
that the general practitioners should be up-to-dated in the knowledge of depression, relatively few studies allow a
comprehensive assessment of Knowledge these doctors, their attitude towards the disease and the referral of
cases as well as management decision they make in these cases and the factors associated with these decisions.
Objectives: The overall objective of the proposed study is to assess the knowledge, attitudes and beliefs about
depression amongst General Practitioners of Hyderabad city, District Hyderabad, Sindh.
Material and Method: The study was cross-sectional, carried out among the General Practitioners working in 8
different Union Councils of Hyderabad City. The tool of study was structured questionnaire specially designed for
this study. A total of 188 General Practitioners from selected Union Councils responded to the survey. Data was
computerized using Excel and analysed using SPSS.
Results &Conclusion: This is first study of its kind, was conducted and aimed to investigate the Knowledge,
Attitude and Practice of Depression among General Practitioners who are working in Hyderabad City. The study
has shown that a high proportion of General Practitioners that participated in the survey had knowledge with respect to depression and which gender affected more as well as over prescription of Anti-depressant medication
now a days in the country. However, awareness regarding depression diagnostic criteria and complications of
Anti-depressants among majority of General Practitioners was inadequate.
Key Words: Depression, knowledge, attitude, practice, General Practitioners, Anti-dep