A gender and education based comparative study of extent of depression in patients of chronic kidney disease on haemodialysis

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a worldwide public health problem, both for the number of patients and cost of treatment involved. Globally, CKD is the 12th cause of death and the 17th cause of disability, respectively. For CKD patients, one of the choices to survive is haemodialysis . End Stage Renal Disease (final stage of CKD) has a significant impact upon the lives of sufferers. The experience of concurrent multiple losses which include kidney function, family role, work role, sexual function, time and mobility, impact significantly on the lives of patients and it often lead to depression. In this study a sample of 100 CKD patients on haemodialysis were taken, of which 50 were male and 50 were female and the level of education was either matriculate or non-matriculate. Using Beck Depression Inventory the level of depression of the CKD patients were estimated and the difference between the groups based on gender and level of education. Conclusion: It was found that the patients of CKD on haemodialysis were suffering from depression at different level and there was a significant difference in the level of depression between the groups based on gender and level of education.