APPRAISAL ON PREVALANCE OF DEPRESSION AMONG PATIENTS UNDER RNTCP IN RURAL AREA PROSPECTIVELY

Tuberculosis (TB), a widely spread infectious disease caused by the mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria, spread through air droplets, characterized by the growth of nodules (tub ercles) in the tissues, especially the lungs. WHO describes mental disorder as illness characterized by a combination of abnormal thoughts, relationship with others perceptions, emotions, and behavior. Our study which aims to assess the prevalence of depression among the tuberculosis patients on treatment using Hamilton Depression Rating Scale found that 6.6% were normal, 43.3% mild, 36.6% moderate, 13.3% severe while none were found to be very severally depressed. Therefore it is essential to educate people about the disease and its related complications in all aspects to improve tre atment adherence and eradicate depression