Mental health status, quality of life and associated factors among type 2 diabetic patients in a conflict affected area in Cameroon
1
Public Health and Hygiene, University of Buea, Cameroon, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Diabetes mellitus may affect the mental health and quality of life of the affected population. In Cameroon there is little data on the mental health status and quality of life (QoL) of people living with diabetes. This study assessed the mental health status (depression and anxiety) and the QoL of people living with type 2 diabetes in Cameroon.
METHODS:
The study was a hospital-based cross-sectional study involving 230 type 2 diabetic patients recruited consecutively from the diabetic unit in the Buea Regional Hospital. Quantitative data on depression, anxiety and QoL was collected using standard questionnaires: Patient Health Questionnaire (HQ9); General Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) and World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQoL-BREF) from March to April 2025. Binary and Linear regression analyses were used to determine factors associated with anxiety, depression and QoL.
RESULTS:
The prevalence of anxiety and depression were 19.6% and 30.0% respectively. Anxiety and depression were both associated with the level of income, duration of the disease and comorbidity. The QoL was poor in the physical (34,8%), psychological (33.0%), social (34.3%) and environmental (22.2%) domains. Poor QoL was associated with the increase in age, duration of the disease and income levels. Participants with disease complications had better physical, environmental and social QoL.
CONCLUSIONS:
Type 2 diabetic patients experienced depression and anxiety. About one third of them had poor QoL which was affected by the duration of the disease, the age of patients and the presence of complications. These findings highlight the necessity to screen diabetic patients for mental health related issues, QoL and to incorporate mental health counselling in their hospital care and a public health intervention to improve on their QoL.
Diabetes mellitus may affect the mental health and quality of life of the affected population. In Cameroon there is little data on the mental health status and quality of life (QoL) of people living with diabetes. This study assessed the mental health status (depression and anxiety) and the QoL of people living with type 2 diabetes in Cameroon.
METHODS:
The study was a hospital-based cross-sectional study involving 230 type 2 diabetic patients recruited consecutively from the diabetic unit in the Buea Regional Hospital. Quantitative data on depression, anxiety and QoL was collected using standard questionnaires: Patient Health Questionnaire (HQ9); General Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) and World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQoL-BREF) from March to April 2025. Binary and Linear regression analyses were used to determine factors associated with anxiety, depression and QoL.
RESULTS:
The prevalence of anxiety and depression were 19.6% and 30.0% respectively. Anxiety and depression were both associated with the level of income, duration of the disease and comorbidity. The QoL was poor in the physical (34,8%), psychological (33.0%), social (34.3%) and environmental (22.2%) domains. Poor QoL was associated with the increase in age, duration of the disease and income levels. Participants with disease complications had better physical, environmental and social QoL.
CONCLUSIONS:
Type 2 diabetic patients experienced depression and anxiety. About one third of them had poor QoL which was affected by the duration of the disease, the age of patients and the presence of complications. These findings highlight the necessity to screen diabetic patients for mental health related issues, QoL and to incorporate mental health counselling in their hospital care and a public health intervention to improve on their QoL.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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