Screening of Depression Among Medical Outpatients Visiting the University Teaching Hospital of Kigali, Rwanda.
Jean Pierre GafarangaLeopold BitunguhariCharles MudengeFelix ManirakizaBrian KellyPaul GatabaziPublished in: Neuropsychiatric disease and treatment (2024)
This study highlights the high prevalence of depression among medical outpatients. Due to the stigma associated with mental health, patients frequently seek help for physical symptoms such as headaches and other bodily complaints rather than mental health concerns. Introducing routine depression screening in medical departments could potentially facilitate early identification, and intervention, and lead to improved patient care. Future research should focus on evaluating such screening programs' effectiveness and long-term outcomes in resource-limited settings like Rwanda.