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Depressive symptoms and associated factor among public school teachers in Jimma town, Southwest, Ethiopia 2020: a multi-disciplinary, cross-sectional study

BMC Psychiatry volume 22, Article number: 343 (2022) Cite this article

Abstract

Background

Depression is a common mental disorder and the leading cause of disability globally. Depression has a significant impact on the quality of life, cognition, emotion, and daily functioning and leads individuals to 39% of suicide globally. Previous studies reported that the magnitude of depression is higher among teachers than in the general population. However, little is known in the case of Ethiopia. Therefore this study aimed to assess the magnitude of depressive symptoms and associated factors among public school teachers in Jimma town.

Methods

A facility-based cross-sectional study using was conducted a multistage random sampling technique. Depressive symptoms were assessed by using the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress 21 items scale. The data were entered into Epi Data version 3.1 and analyzed using STATA V 14.2. Variables with p < 0.25 in the bi-variable logistic regression analysis were entered into a multivariable binary logistic regression to identify predictors. A statistically significant association was declared at a p-value < 0.05.

Result

The prevalence of depressive symptoms in this study was found to be 44.7% (95% CI: 40–49.3). Moderate and severe level of occupational stress (AOR; 2.63 CI; 1.32, 5.28 and AOR; 4.15 CI; 1.83, 9.45) respectively, having stress, (AOR; 2.40 CI; 1.48, 3.90), having Anxiety symptoms (AOR; 4.43 CI; 2.79, 7.06) and consumption of alcohol (AOR; 2.21 CI; 1.11, 4.37) were identified as a significant predictor for depressive symptoms.

Conclusion and recommendation

The study revealed that there is a high prevalence of depressive symptoms among participants. Moderate and severe levels of occupational stress, having stress, having anxiety, and consumption of alcohol were factors that are significantly associated with depressive symptoms. Therefore, giving awareness and routine screening of depressive symptoms among teachers is crucial in early detection and management.

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Background

Depression is a common cold of mental illness and the leading cause of disability globally [1]. It is characterized by internal feelings of sadness, guiltiness, hopelessness, helplessness, loss of interest in previously pleasurable activities, disturbed sleeping patterns, loss of concentration, loss of appetite, psychomotor retardation or agitation, and suicidal ideation and attempt [2]. According to DSM-5, five symptoms are needed for at least 2 weeks duration and among the symptoms, one must be either depressed mood or loss of interest and cause significant functional impairment [3].

Worldwide 350 million people are suffering from major depression disorder [2, 4]. Out of 28% of neuropsychiatric disorders of the global burden of disease, depression is accountable for more than one-third [5]. It was the third leading cause in 2012 and it was predicted in 2020 to become the second of the burden of global disease [6]. According to World Health Organization estimation; major depressive disorder (MDD) is projected to become the leading by 2030 [7].

Depression is the most known and common disabling problem that leads individuals risky to health like diabetes, arthritis, substance [8] and it also increases the mortality rate by four times than non-depressed [9]. Depression has a significant impact on cognition, emotion, quality of life, and daily functioning [2, 10]. Depression is one of the most common psychiatric disorders that lead individuals to suicide and 39% of global suicide occur by depression [11]. It also has a considerable impact on social disability and economic to both the patient and family.

Depression among teachers varies across the country, in England 19.4 to 52.5% [10, 12,13,14]. Having 1–3 children, younger age, having genetically predisposing to mental illness, being female, divorced, low income, anxiety, stressful life events, substance use, being diabetes, hypertension, occupational stress, working experience, poor social support were factors that significantly leads to depression [10, 13,14,15,16,17,18,19].

Different studies internationally reported that teachers are exposed to major depressive disorder than other professions [17, 20,21,22,23]. Teachers are one of the fundamental elements of the education system. They are a role model who motivates and encourages students for great achievement [24]. Teaching is a physically and mentally challenging profession because they waste a lot of energy in their daily occupations in the classroom. In addition to this personal social life and familial commitments leads them to mental distress [25].

The lifetime prevalence of depression among teachers is higher than the general population which ranged between 19.4 to 52.5% among teachers, [10, 12, 14, 19, 23, 26] and 14.6% among the general population [27]. Despite the high magnitude and burden among teachers it is still underestimated public health problem and is well not known in Ethiopia. In addition, this study assesses the role of the level of occupational stress on depressive symptoms among school teachers. This study has paramount significance in early systematic screening and detection of depressive symptoms. It is also an important and effective strategy to prevent further complications from depressive symptoms. Therefore, this study particularly focuses on assessing the magnitude of depressive symptoms and factors associated with depressive symptoms among school teachers in Jimma town, Southwest. Ethiopia.

Methods and materials

Study setting and period

The study was conducted from December first to thirty 2020. G.C. at public schools in Jimma town. Jimma town is located in Oromia regional state 352 Km far from the capital city of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, to the southwest. The estimated total population of the town is 210,908. In the town, there are 33 public schools: among this twenty-seven were primary and six were secondary schools. There are 2018 public school teachers in Jimma town. Among these 1332 are primary school teachers and 686 are secondary school teachers.

Study design

A facility-based cross-sectional study was employed.

Source population

All public school teachers working in Jimma town.

Study population

All randomly selected public school teachers in Jimma town.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion criteria

All Jimma town public school teachers who are serving for more than 6 months and who are currently in service were included in this study.

Exclusion criteria

Teachers who are on maternity and sick leave for different reasons and teachers who are acutely ill during the data collection period were excluded from this study.

Sample size estimation and sampling technique

Sample size estimation

A single population proportion formula was used to estimate the sample size. The prevalence of depression 29.3% among Nigerian teachers was obtained for this objective, at (95% level of confidence), a 5% margin of error. Since the source population is less than 10,000, using correction formula (\(\frac{n_o}{1+\frac{n_o}{N}}\)) and by considering 1.5 for design effect and 10% non-response rate, the final sample size was 456.

Sampling technique

A Multi-stage sampling technique was employed. According to the world health organization recommendation first 30% of public schools were selected which means eleven schools from the total of 33 schools by a lottery method of simple random sampling technique. Out of twenty-seven primary schools, nine [9] schools and two secondary schools out of six [6] public schools were included in the study. Then after proportional allocation of the sample size was made based on the number of teachers. From primary schools, 301 teachers are selected out of 1332 teachers, and from secondary school teachers, 155 teachers were selected out of 686 teachers. Finally, a lottery method of simple random sampling technique was used to select study participants from each school teacher by using school teachers’ registration as a sampling frame (Fig. 1).

Fig. 1
figure 1

Show proportional allocation of the sample of teachers in the school prepared by the principal investigator in Jimma town Southwest, Ethiopia 2020

Full size image

Operational definition

Depressive symptoms: participants who scored ≥10 in the DASS-21 score were considered as having depressive symptoms.

Anxiety symptoms: participants who scored ≥8 in the DASS-21 score were considered as having anxiety symptoms.

Social support: Using Oslo Social Support Scale those teachers were scored < 3–8 low social support, score 9–11 (medium social support), and 12–14 (strong social support).

Level of occupational stress: Occupational Stress Index (OSI) was used to measure OS. According to the scale total scores, the teachers’ OS was divided into:

  • ➢ Mild level of OS (total score: 46–122),

  • ➢ Moderate level of OS (total score: 123–155)

  • ➢ Severe level of OS (total score:156–230)

Current substance use: use of Chat, Alcohol, cigarettes, Cannabis, and other psychoactive substance or medication in the last 3 months.

Instrument and data collection procedures

A structured interview was employed to collect the data. The first part assesses information about Sociodemographic data. Depression, anxiety, and stress were assessed by adopting the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale 21 (DASS-21) questionnaire. That is a validated and reliable instrument with 21 items in three domains. Each domain comprises seven. Scores from each dimension were added and multiplied by two. Then those who score above between 0 and 9 for depression considered as normal, 10–13 mild depression, 14–20 moderate depression, 21–28 severe depression, and above 28 were considered as an extreme case of depression. For anxiety, those who score above eight and for stress above fifteen were considered as having the case [28,29,30]. It has excellent Cronbach’s alpha values of 0.81, 0.89, and 0.78 for the subscales of depression. Anxiety and stress respectively [30]. In this study, internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha coefficient) was 0.82, 0.85, and 0.92 for depression, anxiety, and stress respectively. The level of occupational stress was assessed by using Occupational Stress Index (OSI). The English version of the OSI was originally developed by Srivastava and Singh (1984) and it is applicable in different countries including Africa in Egypt and Algeria among teachers. The scale supports to measure the extent of Occupational stress that employees perceive from various constituents and conditions of their job [31]. It has 46 items scale (28 positives and 18 negatives) that were rated on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from (1: strongly disagree to 5: strongly agree). The items are related to relevant components of job conditions that could be sources of stress as work overload, role ambiguity, role conflict, group and political pressure, responsibility for persons, under participation, powerlessness, poor colleges’ relations, intrinsic impoverishment, and bad working conditions. According to the scale total scores, the teachers’ OS was divided into a mild level of OS (total score range: 46–122), moderate level of OS (total score range: 123–155), and severe level of OS (total score range: 156–230) [31, 32]. The reliability and Cronbach’s alpha coefficient for the scale were 0.935 and 0.90, respectively in Bangladesh [33]. The Oslo 3-items social support scale was used to assess social support. A sum index was made by summarizing the raw scores, the sum ranging from 3 to 14. It was reliable in the study (Cronbach’s α = 0.91) done at Wolayta university [34, 35]. Job burnout was assessed by using the adopted Maslach burnout inventory that has 22 items and has seven scale choices for each question. Those who score above the mean of the Maslach burnout inventory questionnaire were considered as they have Job burnout whereas those who score below the mean were considered as they have not. It has Cronbach’s alpha value of reliability was 0.89 [36]. In this study, internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha coefficient) was 0.83. current substance user was assessed by using modified ASSIST [37].

Data quality management

A self-administered questionnaire was employed to collect the data, which was prepared in the local language (Amharic and Afan Oromo). Eleven data collectors from BSc psychiatry professionals and one supervisor from MSc were involved in the data collection process and training was given for 2 days on the data collection tool, content, privacy, consent and confidentiality, and data collection procedure. A pre-test was conducted on 5% of the sample size and adjustments were made based on the pretest.

Data processing and analysis

The data were entered into the Epi-Data version 3.1, and then data was exported to Stata 14.3. The bivariate logistic analysis was done to select candidate variables. All variables p-value < 0.25 in the bivariate analysis were entered into the multivariable logistic regression model. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was employed to control for possible confounding effects and to determine the presence of a statistically significant association between independent variables and outcome variables. The model of fitness was checked by Hosmer and Lemeshow test which was 0.257. A P-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant and the strength of the association was presented by an odds ratio of 95% C.I.

Result

Sociodemographic characteristics of respondents

Of the 456 eligible, 452 teachers have participated in the study giving a response rate of 99.12%. More than half 241(53.32%) of participants were female. More than half 237 (52.43%) of the respondents were first-degree holders followed by diploma, masters and certificate 126(27.88), 52 (11.50%), 37 (8.19) respectively. and most of the respondents were married followed by single, divorced, separated, and widowed 313(53.3%), 54(11.95%), 34(7.52%), 32(7.08%), and 19(4.20%) respectively. The mean age of the respondents was 41.71 with a standard deviation of (+ 10.91). Regarding teachers’ monthly salary most of the respondents paid more than five thousand five hundred Ethiopian birrs 294(65.04%) and 94(20.80%) of the paid less than 4500 Ethiopian birrs, the remaining were paid in between.

Work and mental health characteristics of participants

Three fourth of the participant 298 (65.93%) were primary school teachers and 247(54.65%) of them teach social science. Among all participants, most of them 297 (65.71%) were suffered from moderate occupational stress followed by severe occupational stress 82(18.14%) and the remaining have a mild level of occupational stress. and half of the participants 226 (50%) experienced job burnout above the mean level. More than half of the respondents 267 (59.07%) have teaching experience above 15 year 115(25.44%) of them have teaching experience between 6 and 15 years and the remaining have less than 5 years of teaching experience. Among the total respondents, 202 (44.69%) of them have anxiety symptoms and 78 (17.26%) of them have a family history of mental illness.

Substance and medical illness characteristics of respondents

Among the respondents, 51(11.28%) and 30 (6.64%) were current alcohol and cigarette smokers respectively. Regarding medical illness, 34 (8.52%) diabetic Mellitus, 37 (8.19%) hypertension, and 28 (6.19%) asthma.

Prevalence of depression among respondents

The total prevalence of depression among respondents is 202 (44.7%) (95% CI: 40–49.3) (Fig. 2).

Fig. 2
figure 2

Level of depression among public school teachers in Jimma town, Southwest Ethiopia, 2020

Full size image

Factors associated with depression among teachers in Bi-variable logistic regression

Bi-variable logistic analysis was done to see factors associated with depression; Hence, marital status, level of the school, family history of mental illness, current alcohol user and smoker, social support, level of occupational stress, anxiety, perceived stress, Job burnout, having diabetic Mellitus and hypertension were found to be associated with depression and entered to multivariate analysis (Table 1).

Table 1 Factors associated with depression in Bi-variable logistic regression among respondents in Jimma town in 2020 (N = 452)
Full size table

Factors associated with depression among teachers in multivariable logistic regression

In multivariable logistic regression analysis of current alcohol users, levels of occupational stress, anxiety, and perceived stress were found to be significantly associated with depression (Table 2).

Table 2 Factors associated with depression among teachers in multivariable logistic regression in Jimma town in 2020(N = 452)
Full size table

Discussion

This study aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of depressive symptoms among teachers living in Jimma town. Overall the study revealed that 44.7% (95% CI: 40–49.3) of teachers are suffering from depressive symptoms. Among this 13.3, 20.8, 6.6, 3.8% are mild. Moderate, severe, and extremely severe respectively. Regarding associated factor level of occupational stress, having anxiety, perceived stress and current alcohol user were significantly associated with depressive symptoms.

The prevalence of depressive symptoms in the current study is in line with the finding of Libya 44.5% [38] and Malesia 43% [19]. But it is lower than the study conducted in India 52.5% [39]. Sample size variation, lifestyle condition, the socio-cultural background might be another possible reason, tool difference is also another difference. In India, depression was assessed by the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) [39], while in our study Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21) was used.

The finding of this study is higher than the study in England 19.4% [10], Italy 23.9%) Japan 20.1% [26] Egypt, 23.2% [12], Nigeria 29.3% [13]. The possible explanation for the difference might be tool differences used to assess depression. They used Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), England Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Egypt Zung’s Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) japan, MINI International Neuropsychiatric Interview Nigeria to assess depression respectively but in this study, Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21) item was used. The pandemic effect of COVID-19, Sample size variation, lifestyle condition, socio-cultural background difference might be another possible reason.

The odds of having depression is 2.65 and 4.15 more likely to occur among having a moderate and severe level of occupational stress respectively than having a mild level of occupational stress AOR = 2.63 at 95% CI (1.32, 5.28), and AOR = 4.15 at 95% CI (1.83, 9.45) respectively. This agrees with the study done in Japan [26], in Mexico [14]. The possible reason for this might be job demands may exceed individuals coping abilities that might predispose them to develop depressive symptoms through psychological (like the feeling of helplessness) [23].

Teachers who report current alcohol users were more than two times more likely two have depressive symptoms than not current user AOR = 2.21 at 95% CI (1.08, 4.26). This is supported by the study conducted in Mexico [14]. The possible explanation might be the effect of alcohol consumption on the brain it decreases the serotonin concentration in the blood which is responsible the predisposing them to depressive symptoms [2, 40, 41]. The other reason might be individuals who consume alcohol might develop depression symptoms like loss of concentration, social isolation, and feels depression.

Teachers who have perceived stress were more than two times increased risk of having depressive symptoms than teachers who have no perceived stress AOR = 2.40 at 95% CI (1.48, 3.90). This is consistent with studies done in England, Brazil, and Malaysia [42,43,44]. This is might be stress harms mental health because individuals’ degree of perception for events whether it is stress full or not and loss of feeling that the situation is out of their control to increase the individual’s risk of developing depressive illness [45]. Likewise, teachers having anxiety increases the likelihood of having depression by 4.43 times as compared to teachers who do not have anxiety AOR =4.43 95% CI (2.79, 7.06). The reason for this might be anxiety most commonly comorbid with depression [2].

Conclusion and recommendation

The study revealed that there is a high prevalence of depression among participants. Moderate and severe levels of occupational stress, having stress, having anxiety, and consumption of alcohol were factors that are significantly associated with depression. Therefore, giving awareness through education about depression and routine screening of depression among teachers is crucial in early detection and management. Furthermore, for researchers, it is better to use both qualitative and quantitative study designs for further understanding of depression.

Availability of data and materials

The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Abbreviations

AOR:

Adjusted Odd Ratio

COR:

Crude Odd Ratio

DASS:

Depression, Anxiety and stress scale

DM:

Diabetic Mellitus

GOVT:

Government

HTN:

Hypertension

KM:

Kilometer

MDD:

Major Depressive Disorder

NGO:

Non-Governmental Organization

OR:

Odds Ratio

OS:

Occupational stress

OSI:

Occupational Stress Index

PI:

Principal Investigator

USA:

United States of America

WHO:

World Health Organization

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Acknowledgements

We would like to acknowledge Jimma University for financial support during data collection and for providing us with ethical clearance. In addition, we extend our thanks to our participants, supervisor, and data collectors.

Funding

The whole required (material and humanitarian) cost for this research work was covered by Jimma University.

Author information

Author notes

  1. Tilahun Bete, Kabtamu Gemechu, Tamrat Anbesaw, Hunde Tarafa and Jinenus Tadessa contributed equally to this work..

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry, School of Nursing and Midwifery, College of Health and Medicine Science, Haramaya University, Harar, Ethiopia

    Tilahun Bete

  2. Department of Medical Laboratory, College of Health and Medicine Science, Haramaya University, Harar, Ethiopia

    Kabtamu Gemechu

  3. Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine and Health Science, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia

    Tamrat Anbesaw

  4. Department of Psychiatry, College of Health and Medicine Science, Mettu University, Mettu, Ethiopia

    Hunde Tarafa

  5. Department of Psychiatry, College of Health and Medicine Science, University of Gonder, Gonder, Ethiopia

    Jinenus Tadessa

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Contributions

TB designed and supervised the study, carried out the analysis, and interpreted the data; TA, HT, KG, and JT assisted in the design, analysis, and interpretation of the data; and TB and TA wrote the manuscript. All authors contributed toward data analysis, drafting, and critically revising the paper and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work. All authors participated in approving the manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Tilahun Bete.

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Ethics approval and consent to participate

Ethical clearance was obtained from the Ethical review board of Jimma University, Institute of Health. All methods of the study performed according to the guideline and regulations of Helsinki. Permission letter is also taken from Jimma town educational head office to each school head. Informed consent was taken from all participants. Then written consent was taken from each participant after explaining the purpose of the study. Privacy, anonymity, and confidentiality were ensured for each teacher throughout the process of the study. The study participants have been informed that refusal to consent or withdrawal from the study at any time. Those participants who are vulnerable to depressive symptoms were linked to Jimma Medical Center Psychiatric clinic for further evaluation. Hand sanitizer, mask, and Social distance were applied in the prevention of COVID-19.

Consent for publication

Not applicable.

Competing interests

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

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Bete, T., Gemechu, K., Anbesaw, T. et al. Depressive symptoms and associated factor among public school teachers in Jimma town, Southwest, Ethiopia 2020: a multi-disciplinary, cross-sectional study. BMC Psychiatry 22, 343 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-022-03941-z

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Keywords

BMC Psychiatry

ISSN: 1471-244X

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